Kazakhstan – Russia 2-9 (1-3, 0-2, 1-3)
HAMEENLINNA, Finland – Russia kept its hopes for skating in the World Women’s bronze medal game alive after defeating Kazakhstan, 9-2, in playoff round action. The winner of tomorrow’s Sweden-Russia game will skate for bronze.

Russia climbed out to a strong 3-0 lead in the first 11:20 of the game. Ekaterina Smolentseva scored the first goal just 3:56 into action and then set up the 2-0 tally that came about five minutes later. Inna Dyubanok scored the 3-0 goal to give the Russians some breathing space.

Kazakhstan netted its only goal with 4:08 left in the period when Lyubov Ibramigova netted the Kazakhs’ first-ever playoff round goal at the World Women’s Championship. While the goal was a nice moment for the Kazakhs, it made little difference in the outcome of the game as Russia was simply the stronger, and better rested, team.

Smolentseva was one of two Russian scorers in the second period as her team built the lead to 5-1 by the end of the stanza. Russia dominated Kazakhstan in the period, but once again goaltender Darya Obydennova kept the score respectable, making 36 saves in the first 40 minutes and – in total.

Russia added a trio of goals in the third period, while Kazakhstan captain Natalya Yakovchuk also found the back of the net. Despite the goals, it was a low-energy period as both teams looked worn out by the final buzzer. Ekaterina Ananina, Iya Gavrilova and Tatiana Burina scored the Russian goals in the period.

Russia switched out goaltender Irina Gashennikova for Nadezva Alexandrova with 13 minutes left, but she faced very little pressure from the Kazakhs in her brief appearance.

The loss ended Kazakhstan’s championship as they go home with a 1-0-3 record and an all-time high sixth-play finish, beating 2005’s seventh-place finish in Sweden when the championship had eight teams. Meanwhile, Russia will take on Sweden tomorrow for the berth in the bronze medal game. The Russians have only skated in the bronze game once previously, in 2001, when they beat the Finns for the medal.

JENNY WIEDEKE

Found on IIHF