Finland 5th, Germany 7th

5th place
 
Finland - Russia 4-0 (2-0, 0-0, 2-0)

A close game was expected by media and fans between Finland and hosts Russia but with a double at the end of the first and at the start of the third period, the Fins made it an easy 4-0 win against their Eastern European rivals.

The Russians had the better start with two early power plays but failed to use even best scoring opportunities. This was punished late in the period when Linda Valimaki deflected a blue line shot with her stick below the glove hand of goalie Anna Prugova waiting in front of the Russian net at 16:37. Not even a minute later Riikka Valila scored from short distance after receiving a cross-pass by Susanna Tapani who had started a rush via the left wing.

A total of four penalties at the start of the second period prevented the game somewhat from developing. Jenni Hiirikoski had the best chance for Finland when she hit the crossbar with a shot from close to the left circle! Both goalies stayed calm during the few opportunities on each side in these 20 minutes with only 12 shots on goal.

The third period started with a goal by Michelle Karvinen who deflected a pass from the right circle by Riikka Valila into the net with her left skate - there was no intended kicking motion though and that's why the goal counted! Tatyana Burina took an interference penalty shortly afterwards which was immidiately punished by Michelle Karvinen who battled a rebound over the goal line for her second strike of the day from a sharp angle waiting right to the net! The Finnish lead could have been even higher but when Linda Valimaki scored from short distance laying on the ice there was already a call made by the referees! For Finnish goalie Noora Räty it was a shutout in what was most likely her last international appearance for Finland as she announced during the tournament!   

7th place

Germany - Japan 3-2 (1-1, 2-0, 0-1)

After the 4-0 win in the group stage Germany again managed to beat Japan but this time it was a lot closer. Susann Götz managed to score the 1-0 for the Germans with a rebound after Nana Fujimoto in the Japanese net failed to stop a distance shot at 09:18. A couple minutes later Hane Kubo tied the game after Jennifer Harss allowed a rebound with a pad save!

In power play Julia Zorn regained the lead for the European side with a blue line shot into the right top corner. Japan was the more active team in the following time but the Germans were the ones to score. Kratzer found Schuster with a wonderful pass but her team mate failed to score. The rebound then came to Sara Seiler who scored the game winner at 35:49!

At the start of the middle period the Japanese gained hope back after Haruna Yoneyama used another weak rebound by Harss to make it 3-2 but the Germans defended their small lead till the very end!

For Japan the 8th spot not only means a great disappointment but now they also have to play in a relagation against the winners of the Division I of the IIHF World Championship to keep their spot in the highest division of the World Cups.

Schedule:

Bronze medal game:

Thursday, 20 Feb (16.00 MSK) Switzerland - Sweden

Gold medal game:

Thursday, 20 Feb (21.00 MSK) Canada - USA

Tweets by @eurohockey