Switzerland defeat Sweden to win women's hockey bronze
The Swiss women's ice hockey team took home a bronze medal in Sochi on Thursday with a 4-3 victory over Sweden.
The underdog Swedish side overachieved at this tournament with a surprise victory over Noora Raty and the third ranked Finnish women's ice hockey team in the quarterfinal round. The Swedish women looked poised to score another upset on Thursday as they successfully dictated play for the game's first 40 minutes.
In the first period Sweden was all over Switzerland, peppering Swiss goaltender Florence Schelling with 10 shots. While Schelling - who should probably make the "all tournament team" - stood tall, she was finally beaten by Swede forward Michelle Lowenhielm late in the period.
Switzerland found their footing in the second frame, although Sweden continued to press. Late in the period, Erica Johansson Uden put a second puck past Schelling, as the Swedes went into the second intermission with a commanding two goal lead.
Though Schelling was beaten for two goals on Thursday, she kept the score close in the first two periods even as the team in front of her was outshot 20-to-13.
Schelling's excellent form was rewarded by her teammates as Switzerland put together a furious third period rally to power them to a bronze medal at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.
Swiss skaters Sara Benz, Phoebe Stanz and Jessica Lutz beat Swedish netminder Valentina Wallner as Switzerland came back from the two goal deficit to take the lead.
Alina Muller added an empty net goal for Switzerland, and that goal proved critical. It ultimately stood up as the game winner when Pernilla Winberg scored just twenty seconds later to throw the result back into doubt.
