Finland takes bronze in women's hockey

Last Updated: Thursday, February 25, 2010 | 5:46 PM ET

By Chris Iorfida, CBC Sports

Defenceman Terhi Mertanen kisses the ice as Finnish players celebrate winning an Olympic bronze medal on Thursday. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Karoliina Rantamaki scored just over two minutes into overtime to give Finland the bronze medal victory 3-2 over Sweden in women's hockey on Thursday at Canada Hockey Place.

The Finns scored on a play that started with good puck movement from their own blue-line. Rantamaki drove down the left side and fired the puck towards the crease.

The goal was originally credited to her teammate and Finnish captain Saara Tuominen, but a replay showed it went off a Swedish skate and past netminder Sara Grahn.

Finland had not won a medal in Olympic women's hockey since the inaugural 1998 tournament, when they also took bronze. They lost the bronze medal game in the last two Olympics.

Rantamaki, 32, is one of just two players remaining from the 1998 team.

"I knew if I got it in front, we would score," said Rantamaki "It's really unbelievable, a great feeling right now. I still can't believe it. It's been a long time. I waited 12 years. It was so long that I waited."

Sweden was going for a third consecutive Olympic medal in women's hockey. Sweden won bronze in 2002 and four years later took silver after a huge upset win in the semifinals over the United States.

Canada and the United States will battle for gold Thursday evening.

The Swedes never led in the game. Danijela Rundqvist helped send the game to extra time scoring on Finnish goalie Noora Raty a little more than five minutes into the third period.

Heidi Pelttari and Michelle Karvinen scored for Finland in regulation time, as did Swedish veteran Maria Rooth.

Finland's President Tarja Halonen attended the game wearing a Finnish jersey and waving the blue-and-white flag while watching from a luxury box. She even led a cheer on the public-address system late in the third period.

"Not many presidents love sports like she does," Raty said.

Finland snapped out of their goal drought to prevail, having been shut out by the powerful U.S. and Canada squads in their two previous games.