Sosina steers Agidel to victory

Olga Sosina, captain of Agidel and Team Russia, led from the front to snatch a dramatic victory for her team in the deciding game of the Women’s Hockey League season. The 2020-2021 final, delayed from March due to the pandemic, was completed at last in Mytishchi on Saturday. And, in an epic winner-takes-all battle, Agidel won the title back from the Vanke Rays in a shoot-out.

KRS Vanke Rays 2 Agidel Ufa 3 SO (1-1, 0-0, 1-1, 0-0, 0-1)

Agidel wins the final series 2-1

Sosina, who was voted playoff MVP, played a vital role in that shoot-out. She stepped up for the 10th and final attempt of the opening series knowing that she had to beat Kimberly Newell to keep Agidel’s season alive. She scored, and went on to repeat the trick in sudden death and win the title for her team.

Photo: 11.09.21. WHL Championship 2020-2021. Playoffs. Final. KRS Vanke Rays (Shenzhen) - Agidel (Ufa)

Earlier in the game, 15-year-old Maria Mikaelyan opened the scoring midway through the first period. Leah Lum quickly tied it up for the Dragons and, after a goalless second period, Alena Mills gave KRS a 2-1 lead over her former club. However, when Ilona Markova’s angled shot squeezed past Kimberly Newell with three minutes to play, Agidel could see salvation. Overtime saw Maria Sorokina, recalled to the Ufa line-up in place of Anna Prugova, make a huge save to deny Michelle Karvinen. Then, in the shoot-out, Sosina delivered the title for Ufa to make it three championships in four seasons for the Bashkortostan club.

Individual awards for the season were as follows.

The 2020-2021 campaign might be over, but the action for the Women’s Hockey League is just starting. Next week sees Sochi host a pre-season tournament which features both of these finalists, plus Russia’s U18s and China’s national team. Then the 2021-2022 season begins on Sep. 22 in Mytishchi with a rematch between the Vanke Rays and Agidel.