Slovakia's Nela Lopusanova scored a stunning Michigan goal, but Sweden and Finland will face the USA and Canada in the U-18 Women's Worlds semifinal.
Quarterfinals day at the women’s U-18 World Championship has come and gone, setting up an exciting slate of medal-round games.
While her team lost to Sweden, Slovakian phenom Nela Lopusanova stole the show again, scoring the goal of the tournament on the lacrosse-style goal, also called ‘the Michigan,’ against Sweden.
Despite her efforts, Sweden downed Slovakia 6-1 to advance to face the USA in the semifinal. Meanwhile, Finland finally found their game by coming from behind to beat Czechia to set up a semifinal matchup against Canada.
Here is a recap of the quarterfinals and the three stars of the day from the women’s U-18 World Championship.
Sweden Will Play For A Medal
Only a year after fighting their way out of Group B, Sweden will play for a medal at the U-18’s, a path resembling what Czechia recently did at the senior World Championship. Sweden defeated Slovakia 6-1 to advance.
In the opening period, a trio of power-play goals dotted the scoresheet. Stina Andersson banged home a rebound off a point shot to open the scoring for Sweden.
Just over two minutes later, Slovakia’s Nela Lopusanova brought the crowd to their feet, stunning the Swedes by performing a “Michigan” lacrosse-style goal. The 14-year-old phenom was the top scorer in the tournament through the preliminary round.
Sweden silenced the Slovakian momentum from Lopusanova’s goal, with Jenna Raunio scoring to reclaim Sweden’s lead.
To open the second, Isabelle Leijonhielm took a puck on the cycle, walking to the top of the circle before turning to the net and beating Livia Debranova high on the blocker side.
Sweden continued to pour on the pressure with third-period goals from Ebba Hedqvist and team-leading scorer Hilda Svensson overwhelming Slovakia to earn the 6-1 win.
Finns Get First Win When It Matters
After losing each of their first three games, Finland held off Czechia taking a 3-2 win in the quarterfinals.
The win sets up a Finland versus Canada semifinal, while Sweden will play Team USA. For the Finns, it was Pauliina Salonen and Sanni Vanhanen driving the play.
Salonen scored the winner for Finland on the power play with under six minutes to play in the game. Vanhanen fired a shot from the left circle before Salonen grabbed the rebound and beat Michaela Hesova to lift Finland.
Finland jumped out to an early lead in the game, with Salonen scoring her first of the match. She completed a high tip from the slot.
Czechia tied it up in the third after Adela Sapovalivova carried the puck around the net where Kerttu Kuja-Halkola denied her, but Tereza Plosova trailed in to bury the rebound.
After Czechia scored again, it looked like an upset was in the making. But Finnish veteran Sanni Vanhanen, who has already played in the Olympics and multiple World Championships, crashed the night fighting for a loose puck and got it in Czechia’s net.
With the game tied, Vanhanen and Salonen completed the late comeback to secure their chance to play for a medal.
Three Stars from the Quarterfinals
First Star: Sanni Vanhanen, Finland
The Finns finally got the performance they needed from their best player, avoiding what would have resulted in an embarrassing setback for Finland in the women’s international game. Vanhanen was a physical force on the ice, winning her puck battles and generating chances whenever she was on the ice, which was a lot. She led Finnish forwards in ice time with 25:09.
Second Star: Mira Markstrom, Sweden
The Mira Markstrom many believed we’d see from start to finish is finally showing the talent she displayed at last year’s tournament. Markstrom set up a pair of goals for Sweden in their quarterfinal win. She has soft hands and manipulates her stick and hands to access passing lanes. If Sweden is going to win a medal, Markstrom’s recent uptick will be a welcomed boost.
Third Star: Nela Lopusanova, Slovakia
For days, we’ve been hyping the 14-year-old phenom. If any detractors remained, Lopusanova put them to rest, completing the first “Michigan,” lacrosse-styled goal in IIHF women’s history. Although the Slovaks lost, the fact fans can watch Lopusanova for three more U-18 tournaments is exciting.