Heart crushing loss

The final score of the gold medal game held on November 3rd in Ottawa was reminiscent of the exhibition game between the same two teams that was played in St. Laurent at the end of October, as it ended with a loss for the Canadian team. Once again, Finland’s #10 Anne Pohjola proved to be too much for the red jerseys and was able to score the decisive goal.

With the score tied at four until the very end, the 5,500 people in attendance were all cheering for their team, but when the red light lit behind the Canada’s goal, they all stood watching in silence. This was the first time the national ringette team has failed to win world gold on home soil.

A bitter taste was left in the mouth of the players, but they remained positive: “We did what we needed to do, said goaltender and co-captain Keely Brown. We had a strong defence, great goals and great chances. We just came up one short, that’s it.”

Laurentian Stéphanie Séguin, who scored three goals and had seven assists, was feeling exactly the same. “We’re happy with our overall team effort, but at the same time it’s heart crushing. The fans were there for us, it was a great atmosphere.”

Canada will have its revenge in 2010, but this time it will be in a more hostile environment as it will be played in Finland.



(Translated by Pascal LeBlanc)