Canada will face Czechia and Finland will face USA in the 2024 IIHF women's World Championship semi finals. Will there be an upset? Or are we destined for another Canada versus USA final?
Canada will face Czechia and Finland will face USA in the 2024 IIHF women's World Championship semi finals. Will there be an upset? Or are we destined for another Canada versus USA final?
It's time for the medal round in Utica, New York, as the 2024 IIHF women's World Championships are down to the final four teams in Canada, Czechia, Finland, and USA. Here's a look at the upcoming semi-final match ups.
Canada vs. Czechia
Canada dominated in the preliminary round game between the teams, outshooting Czechia 42-13 and outscoring them 5-0. Czechia is going to need to find ways to get far more pucks on net. Natalie Mylnkova has been Czechia's top scoring threat in this tournament, and she'll need support from Denisa Krizova, Tereza Vanisova, and Adela Sapovalivova, among others, to jumpstart this offense. Czechia's hard checking, persistent game can wear teams down, and can create turnovers, but they need their skilled players to try to play like skilled players in a game like this. Goalie Klara Peslarova has been spectacular for Czechia, but you can't win without scoring. On Canada's side, it's about minimizing breakdowns. At times, even against Sweden, Canada allowed players to earn unchallenged scoring opportunities. There are times when Canada takes mental breaks when they're dominating, and it can swing momentum. The good news for Canada is they've balanced scoring across the board, advancing to this point without a goal from Marie-Philip Poulin, and only single goals in the tournament from Natalie Spooner, Sarah Nurse, Sarah Fillier, Brianne Jenner. They're unprecedented totals, but with the same team result. Canada is the heavy favourite here. Eventually Czechia or Finland will knock of Canada or the USA again. It's unlikely to be this year, but anything is possible in single game elimination.
USA vs. Finland
In reality, USA finished first, but ended up with the more dangerous opponent in this tournament. Finland fell 5-3 to USA in their preliminary round game, and the message from Finland was clear...they had Aerin Frankel figured out. Considering they scored three goals on only 12 shots, it's not a far fetched idea to believe them, but they still only managed 12 shots compared to USA's 45 in their first meeting. USA is the heavy favorite here as they attack in waves, shift after shift, with every line, including their checking line, capable of breaking a game open. Finland has the most forward depth they've brought to the World Championships in years with Michelle Karvinen and Susanna Tapani returning to provide a veteran boost alongside Petra Nieminen on their top line, supported by the likes of Noora Tulus, Viivi Vainikka, Ronja Savolainen, Jenni Hiirikoski, Elisa Holopainen, and Nelli Laitinen all serving as threats from their respective positions. For Finland to have any hope in this game, Sanni Ahola will need the game of her life in net, and Finland's veteran skaters will need to push more pucks forward, and capitalize on special teams.
What about the placement game?
Who could forget the placement game between Switzerland and Germany. If the IIHF stays with their current model, this game will decide who plays in Group A next year and who plays in Group B. Germany has been the surprise of the tournament beating Sweden and taking Czechia to the brink of elimination. On paper, Switzerland is favored with more star power on their roster, but the way Germany has played as a unit has been exciting to watch. Laura Kluge has been their top forward at the tournament, but Germany has received contributions from Luisa Welcke and Lilli Welcke, Nina Jobst-Smith, Daria Gleißner, Ronja Hark, and Anna Nix. What can't be overlooked is their team shot blocking, and ability to press opponents. Switzerland on the other hand has been outclassed in every game, and the goaltending for Andrea Brandli is the lone reason they've even appeared competitive. Still, the Swiss could easily win this game with a strong performance from Brandli and contributions from Alina Muller and Lara Stalder. The placement system for women in the IIHF is broken, as the current groupings will keep Sweden out of competition with top teams again next year, when it's obvious the talent pool for Group A has expanded beyond five teams.