PRESS RELEASE: 2023 World Ringette Championships Day 5

Calgary, Alberta – November 3, 2023 – We had a very fast and furious day on the ice here in Calgary Alberta as the World Ringette Championships really started to head into high gear. The Czech Republic were looking for their second win of the tournament coming up against a Swedish side that they had triumphed over days earlier.  But it was not to be today for the Czech Republic as Sweden came out strong, snagging an early lead, and keeping it until the final buzzer sounded.  Sweden will move on to play Team USA for the gold medal tomorrow, and the Czech Republic will have to settle for the bronze.  The Czech’s have been wonderful in this tournament and all of the teams will be sad to see them go.  If you have watched any of the games, you will now undoubtedly have their goal song firmly embedded on your playlist.

Our U18s have spent most of the week working together in their blended program, but today it was back to their own corners for a full international match-up between Canada and Finland.  The game was fast paced from the start and if you didn’t catch the last quarter for any reason, I highly encourage you to go to Ringette Canada’s YouTube channel and find out just what you are missing.  In the end it was Finland who triumphed by a score of 9-7.  It is a huge accomplishment for both countries and I know we are all excited to watch these athlete’s progress.

When the clock struck 7 the first pool game was on between Finland and Canada’s Junior National Teams.  They have already played one another in 2 exhibition matches where Finland emerged victorious. But with all the medals to play for, these pool games certainly have a much more serious vibe.  Finland opened the scoring when Essi Sarmala found the back of the net.  But Canada answered back quickly when Jazmyn Fevin put one of her own pas the Finnish goalie.  Canada then went on to score 4 unanswered goals in a row.  Following Fevin were Mia Hemstreet, Erin Ung and Regan Meier.  Canada went into half time with a 4-1 lead.

Finland was strong out of the gate in the second half, scoring 3 quick unanswered goals of their own to tie up the game to 4-4. The momentum can shift so quickly in ringette and Canada needed to get back in the game and they did when Jazmyn Fevin scored her second of the night. Her goal was followed quickly by another Canadian goal from Manon Vautour. Finland came back again with 2 goals and the game was now tied 6-6.  And that’s how it all would end!  Ringette in tournaments usually does not end in a tie but since this is a 2-game series, a tie is allowed, and they will have all to play for tomorrow in the final game.  If that game ends in a tie, then they will play in overtime until a winner is decided.

Game MVPs were #77 from Canada, Jazmyn Fevin and #17 from Finland, Emmi Juusela.

You can watch the World Ringette Championships on the Ringette Canada YouTube channel; youtube.com/c/RingetteCanadaRinguetteCanada or on channel 1999 on TELUS’ Optik TV Network in British Columbia and Alberta.

For more information on the event, including links to rosters, schedules, standings and stats can be found at www.worldringettechampionship.com

Competition continues Saturday, November 4 at 12:00 p.m. MT. with the President’s Pool gold medal match between Sweden and the USA.  At 4pm U18 Finland vs U18 Canada White and finally at 7:00pm, Finland and Canada’s Junior National Teams will face-off for the gold.