The drought is over for Switzerland.
In the final minute of overtime, Alina Müller’s great play to beat Swedish goaltender Ebba Svensson Träff to give Switzerland a 2-1 win, winning the women’s Olympic hockey bronze medal for just the second time.
It was the Swiss’ first medal since the 2014 Sochi Olympics when Müller, all but 15 years old, scored the game-winner against, of all teams, Sweden.
Even with 3-on-3 overtime, it looked neither the Swiss nor Swedes were going to score. Both Träff and Andrea Brändli came up with some big saves in the extra frame, with many suspecting a shootout might be needed to decide a winner.
The game started as a bit of a chess match, as neither team really pushed in the opening 20 minutes. That trend change in the second period. The offense opened up for both sides, leading to Switzerland forward Ivana Wey receiving a penalty shot minutes into the frame. However, Träff came up with a huge save to keep the game scoreless.
It wouldn’t be tied for much longer, as Mira Jungåker gave Sweden the lead with her second goal of the tournament just past the halfway mark of the contest. Yet, Switzerland responded minutes later. Sinja Leeman created a turnover inside the Sweden zone, and a finished off a nice feed from Alina Marti for her first of the Olympics.
The game remained tied through the third period, despite Sweden putting immense pressure on the Swiss. A late penalty to Swiss forward Lena Marie Lutz gave the Swedes a power play, but Brändli and company held the fort down, forcing the extra frame.
For Darmkronoma, a team that few expected to compete for a medal, it’s certainly a bittersweet end to their run in Milan, as they remain without a medal in a major international tournament since the 2006 Olympics.
Sweden outshot Switzerland 33-25, though the Swiss put up seven shots to the Swedes’ two in overtime. Switzerland went 0-for-2 on the power play, while Sweden went 0-for-1.
Switzerland
Alina Müller, F
Expect anyone else? Every time Müller touched the puck from the beginning of the third period on, it looked like she was going to try and win the game herself. That’s just the kind of player that she is. Confident, determined and a bulldog when the game is on the line. The chance she had right before her winner nearly ended the game. Müller led Switzerland with five shots on goal in the game, and posted a team-high four goals and five points in the tournament.
Andrea Brändli, G
Switzerland doesn’t get to overtime unless Brändli stands on her head, again. In that third period, when Sweden really put the pedal down, the Frölunda HC netminder made numerous game-saving stops, keeping the score level. She might not have been called upon as much in overtime, but when Sweden looked to have a chance, No. 20 was there. Along with her 32-save performance on Thursday, Brändli posted a 2-2-0 record, with a 1.94 goals-against average and a .953 save percentage, good for second among goaltenders in Milan.
Ivana Wey, F
Wey might’ve missed out on scoring a big goal earlier in the game, but her vision and hands set up Müller for the game-winner in overtime. On that top line with Müller and Lara Stalder, Wey was a quiet force all tournament long for the Swiss. She ended up with three shots on goal in the game, tied for second with Stalder. Her assist was surpisingly her first point of the tournament, but the skill the EV Zug star showcased provides insight to what should be a bright future for the 20-year-old.
Sweden
Mira Jungåker, D
Unquestionably Jungåker’s best game in the tournament, and she has been one of Sweden’s best players in Milan. On the top pair with Maja Nylén Persson, she was tasked with playing the heavy minutes against the opponent’s best players. The Ohio State sophomore registered 29:29 of ice time in the bronze medal game, second only to Nylén Persson. She actually led the team with six shots on goal, and had a couple of good rushes in overtime as well. Jungåker was one of six Swedes to have multiple goals in the tournament.
Thea Johansson, F
One of those players was Thea Johansson, who finished the tournament with four goals, leading Damkronoma. She came close from scoring her fifth multiple times on Thursday, but the Minnesota Duluth senior was stymied by Brändli. Johansson put five shots on goal in the loss, but further proved to everyone that she’s going to be a big-time player in the sport for year’s to come. Johansson finished tied with Hilda Svensson and Hanna Olsson for the team lead with seven points apiece.
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