Finnish defender Jenni Hiirikoski was one of the key players for Lulea HF in its win against NWHL champion Metropolitan Riveters.
photo: Matt Zambonin / HHOF-IIHF Images
Lulea defeated the Metropolitan Riveters 4-2 in a game pitting the American National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) champions against the Swedish women’s league champions.
The game was played at Hobey Baker Rink on the campus of Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey, as the NWHL invited the Swedes for this clash between the champion of one of the leading leagues in North America against the champion of one of the top European women’s hockey league.
Finn Michelle Karvinen was named player of the game on the strength of two goals, but the Riveters were undermanned, dressing only eight forwards and four defencemen. Nevertheless, it was an entertaining game decided largely by Lulea’s better skating and a penalty kill that was put to the test many times.
The game was played at Hobey Baker Rink on the campus of Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey, as the NWHL invited the Swedes for this clash between the champion of one of the leading leagues in North America against the champion of one of the top European women’s hockey league.
Finn Michelle Karvinen was named player of the game on the strength of two goals, but the Riveters were undermanned, dressing only eight forwards and four defencemen. Nevertheless, it was an entertaining game decided largely by Lulea’s better skating and a penalty kill that was put to the test many times.
“I give our club a lot of credit. I thought everybody competed really well,” said Riveters head coach Randy Velischek. “We came back twice from deficits. As far as I’m concerned, there’s all positives here. The game at one point could’ve gone either way. From just pure heart, dedication and passion, full kudos to the [Riveters].”
Velischek is a 10-year veteran of the NHL, and Lulea had many international stars on its team, namely Finnish star defenceman and team captain Jenni Hiirikoski.
Lulea arrived in the U.S. only on Thursday and played two, 20-minute periods against the Rivs that same night as a tuneup. The team is chock full of top international players, namely Swedish goalie Sara Grahn, Japanese forward Chiho Osawa, Emma Nordin and Petra Nieminen.
The Rivs featured goalie Katie Fitzgerald and the assistant coach of Princeton’s women’s team, Kelly Nash.
“Playing against a team that is fit and athletic and prepared like Lulea – they’ve played six games in their league and they’re 6-0, they’re one of the top teams in Europe – these players putting in that effort this afternoon. It will be great to build off,” said Velischek. “Full marks to Lulea. We congratulate them. This was a great event for our game, and we hope to see it build in the coming years.”
The first period was dominated by Lulea, although no goals were scored thanks to Fitzgerald’s strong play. She was the star in the 2018 playoffs for the Rivs en route to the Isobel Cup, shutting out both Connecticut in the semi-finals and Buffalo in the finals.
In the second period, the penalties started coming fast and furious for both teams, but in the end Lulea incurred a solid majority. Lulea got on the board first and fast, connecting just 27 seconds in. Emma Nordin got to a loose puck first behind the Rivs’ goal and whipped it out front where Karvinen one-timed a quick shot past Fitzgerald.
That goal seemed to fire up the home side, though, as they stormed Grahn’s crease and drew two penalties in a row, earning 17 seconds of 5-on-3 time. Lulea, however, held the fort.
A little later, Lulea had two power plays in quick succession, but it was the Rivs that tied the game at 14:16 when Kelly Nash deftly tipped a shot past Grahn while seemingly being checked by two Lulea defenders.
The goal spurred them on and they had several more power plays, but they couldn’t get a lead despite Lulea’s penalty parade.
As in the second, the visitors got an early goal in the third, this time a rare conversion during a 3-on-5 situation. Ronja Savolainen and Karvinen came out of their end off a turnover while two men short, and Karvinen finished the nice pass across with a high shot to make it 2-1.
Just 51 seconds later, though, the Rivs tied the game on a power play thanks to Kristin Lewicki, and overtime seemed inevitable.
The deciding goal was nothing but good or bad luck, depending on which side you’re cheering for. A routine shot by Noora Tulus was stopped by Fitzgerald, but the rebound hit defenceman Lexi Slattery in the leg and bounced past the goalie at 12:09.
Lulea added a final goal with just 21.5 seconds left and the Rivs’ goal empty, and the Swedes had won the first of what is hoped to be many such club competitions.
NWHL president Dani Rylan presented Hiirikoski with the trophy on ice after the game, and Lulea celebrated their important win over a North American club rival.
The full game can be watched here:
Velischek is a 10-year veteran of the NHL, and Lulea had many international stars on its team, namely Finnish star defenceman and team captain Jenni Hiirikoski.
Lulea arrived in the U.S. only on Thursday and played two, 20-minute periods against the Rivs that same night as a tuneup. The team is chock full of top international players, namely Swedish goalie Sara Grahn, Japanese forward Chiho Osawa, Emma Nordin and Petra Nieminen.
The Rivs featured goalie Katie Fitzgerald and the assistant coach of Princeton’s women’s team, Kelly Nash.
“Playing against a team that is fit and athletic and prepared like Lulea – they’ve played six games in their league and they’re 6-0, they’re one of the top teams in Europe – these players putting in that effort this afternoon. It will be great to build off,” said Velischek. “Full marks to Lulea. We congratulate them. This was a great event for our game, and we hope to see it build in the coming years.”
The first period was dominated by Lulea, although no goals were scored thanks to Fitzgerald’s strong play. She was the star in the 2018 playoffs for the Rivs en route to the Isobel Cup, shutting out both Connecticut in the semi-finals and Buffalo in the finals.
In the second period, the penalties started coming fast and furious for both teams, but in the end Lulea incurred a solid majority. Lulea got on the board first and fast, connecting just 27 seconds in. Emma Nordin got to a loose puck first behind the Rivs’ goal and whipped it out front where Karvinen one-timed a quick shot past Fitzgerald.
That goal seemed to fire up the home side, though, as they stormed Grahn’s crease and drew two penalties in a row, earning 17 seconds of 5-on-3 time. Lulea, however, held the fort.
A little later, Lulea had two power plays in quick succession, but it was the Rivs that tied the game at 14:16 when Kelly Nash deftly tipped a shot past Grahn while seemingly being checked by two Lulea defenders.
The goal spurred them on and they had several more power plays, but they couldn’t get a lead despite Lulea’s penalty parade.
As in the second, the visitors got an early goal in the third, this time a rare conversion during a 3-on-5 situation. Ronja Savolainen and Karvinen came out of their end off a turnover while two men short, and Karvinen finished the nice pass across with a high shot to make it 2-1.
Just 51 seconds later, though, the Rivs tied the game on a power play thanks to Kristin Lewicki, and overtime seemed inevitable.
The deciding goal was nothing but good or bad luck, depending on which side you’re cheering for. A routine shot by Noora Tulus was stopped by Fitzgerald, but the rebound hit defenceman Lexi Slattery in the leg and bounced past the goalie at 12:09.
Lulea added a final goal with just 21.5 seconds left and the Rivs’ goal empty, and the Swedes had won the first of what is hoped to be many such club competitions.
NWHL president Dani Rylan presented Hiirikoski with the trophy on ice after the game, and Lulea celebrated their important win over a North American club rival.
The full game can be watched here: