For the first time ever, Canada will not play for the gold medal at the women's world championship.
Behind Noora Raty, who has long been considered one of the greatest goaltenders in the game, Finland cruised to a 4-2 semifinals victory over Canada on Saturday. Playing in her 200th career game for Finland, Raty made 43 saves in the victory.
Finland will face either the United States or Russia in the final.
Dating back to the tournament's inception in 1990, Canada and the United States have played in the final every year.
Despite defeating Finland 6-1 to close out the group stage of the tournament Tuesday, Canada was unable to match its offensive output on Saturday. Finland's Ronja Savolainen led the way, notching two goals and an assist in the victory. Canada's two goals came courtesy of a Jamie Rattray and Loren Gabel.
LOREN. GABEL. The #PattyKaz winner ties the game back up for @HC_Women ! #WomensWorlds pic.twitter.com/1ap9lZMfEf
— NWHL (@NWHL) April 13, 2019
Canada suffered a major loss in the first period when forward Blayre Turnbull went head first into the boards after being crossed-checked by Savolainen. No penalty was called on the play, as Turnbull ultimately went to the locker room under her own power. She did return to the game.
Scary. Blayre Turnbull went head first into the boards after being cross-checked in the back by Savolainen. It appears that there's no penalty called, which is ridiculous.
— Mike Murphy (@DigDeepBSB) April 13, 2019
Turnbull was able to get up under her own power, clearly wincing. Off to the locker room. #WomensWorlds pic.twitter.com/1AhUFKgOPB
In addition to Turnbull's injury, Canada was without team captain Marie-Philip Poulin for all but one period of the tournament. Poulin re-injured her knee Monday and did not suit up for Canada on Saturday.