March 07, 2010 - Drammen, Norway - The US Women's Bandy team ended round robin play and the medal round of the World Championships with a couple of tough losses to team Finland at Marienlyst Stadium.


On Friday afternoon, the US lost to the Finns by a 3-2 final, while putting together their best overall game in round robin play in the process. In the game, the US scored their first goal of the tournament, and also had their first lead, before Finland battled back to steal back a win. Ky Puffer scored the first goal for the United States to tie the game at one when she converted the rebound from a Kat Greaves shot. For Puffer, it was the first goal of her USA bandy career in World Championship play, and ended a four game scoring draught for her team. The goal energized the American squad, and led to their second goal of the game, scored by co-captain Sharon Cole on a blast from just outside the penalty arc. The US took there 2-1 lead into the locker room at halftime, their confidence growing throughout the first thirty minutes of play. The second half would not be so kind to the US, as they could not keep up the momentum they had built in the first, and gave up a goal to Petra Verhela of Finland only seven minutes in.  Finland would score again only five minutes later on a goal by Tya Lintula, which turned out to be the game winner. The Americans left the ice disappointed, but eager to play the Finns again the following day in the fifth place match.

The United States came into the fifth place match Saturday morning not satisfied with the results to that point, but confident that they could get their first win against Finland. Unfortunately, the outcome of the match would be all too familiar for the Americans, as the Finns controlled play and came away with a 4-1 victory. Sharon Cole was the lone goal scorer for the US, her second tally in as many games. Cole was a bright spot for the US, and had a solid tournament in only her second World Championship.

~ Thom Wynn