2022 World Cup Bronze Medal Match Preview: Czech Republic vs. Switzerland
After some upsets and intense overtime, the bronze medal match we’re getting this year is a bit out of the norm. The Czech Republic and Switzerland face off, keeping Finland off the podium for the first time in a while.
Team Czech Republic
The Czech team has made great strides in 2022 alone, appearing at its first Olympics and putting on its best performance at World Championships, regardless of how that bronze medal game plays out. Previously, her best result was 6th place.
How they got here
Czech Republic is 5-1 so far in this tournament, their only defeat was against USA in the semifinals. Most importantly, they beat Finland 2-1 in extra time two days ago. Without playing against the Americans, they beat their opponents 23:3. The only goal in the last game was scored by Klara Hymlarova in the second period.
players to watch
Hymlarova is certainly a player to watch at this tournament, but I’ll give the official title to Dominika Laskova, who leads the team with seven points while she’s a defender.
The 25-year-old defender had a breakout tournament after going goalless at the Olympics in February and almost doubling her total points from the last World Cup.
key to victory
It may sound cheesy, but I think the Czechs just need to have the heart and guts to push them over the edge and take a medal. When two unequal teams meet for a bronze medal, it means that both teams play with everything they have and have nothing to lose. It can only come down to who wants it more and who can make it happen.
Realistically, they’ve finished fourth on the power play and third on penalties so far this tournament. Therefore, getting their special teams into their A game will be crucial for them. That and being strong in goal for sixty minutes. If the Czechs can do all that, maybe they’ll find themselves on a podium.
Team Switzerland
For the second time in a row, Switzerland has the chance to go home with a bronze medal. If they do, it would be the first time since 2012 that the Swiss have finished in the top 3 at World Championships.
They’ve earned their place in the top flight and are starting to compete for a spot in the Big Three.
How they got here
They took a 1-3 lead in the group stage and often fought valiantly against stronger, lower-ranked teams like Canada, Team USA and Finland. Their only win in the group stage was against Japan, whom they defeated 3-1.
In the quarterfinals they met Japan for the second time. They won that game 2-1 in a shootout and went straight to the semifinals, where they lost 8-1 to Canada.
players to watch
Sinja Leeman’s name may not be as familiar to women’s hockey fans as Alina Mueller’s, but she is definitely a player to watch.
Switzerland has an exciting mix of older, established leaders (like Müller and captain Lara Stalder) and less experienced but still incredibly talented younger players. It was a pleasure to watch Leeman throughout the tournament
key to victory
Switzerland wins by being Switzerland. The Czech Republic have had an incredible run to the bronze medal game, but the Swiss can’t afford to think about it. For them it must be like any other game.
They’re the better team on paper, but if they’re not better on the ice, they won’t care.
Switzerland are a team with as much heart and determination as anyone else in this tournament. They have all the pieces, it’s just a matter of putting them together when it counts.