Team Finland has been in the Olympic bronze medal game four times in the past four Olympics with one bronze medal in 1998, but on Thursday, Finland finally grabbed some metal again.

Lead by Finland assistant captain and UMD senior captain Saara Tuominen, Finland overtook Team Sweden 3-2 in overtime, with Tuominen aiding on the game-winning goal just 2:33 into extra time.  Tuominen, who was credited with the goal before the it was determined the puck went off former Bulldog Erika Holst's stick, rushed the net on a cross-rink pass to force Sweden's misplay and seal the game for the medal-hungry Finns.

In a game that featured two currently rostered UMD players (Tuominen and Mariia Posa for Finland), four currently redshirted Bulldogs (Elin Holmlov, Pernilla Winberg, Jenni Asserholt and Kim Martin for Sweden) and three UMD alums (Heidit Pelttari, Finland, Maria Rooth and Holst for Sweden), the Bulldogs were featured all over the scoresheet.  Pelttari netted Finlands first goal of the game (and her first of the Olympics) 24:24 to give Finland the 1-0 lead, while Rooth's power-play goal at 32:24 of the second period knotted the game at one apiece.

The end of regulation saw a still knotted up score of 2-2, but Finland needed just 2:23 to undo the game and their medal-less past.  Skating in her second Olympic games, Tuominen's rush to the net created the game-winning goal, and the celebration was on after that, as Tuominen, one of the hardest working players in all of women's hockey found herself right in the midst of Finland's sudden joy.

Tuominen and Finland will received their Olympic medal during the ceremony that will follow the Canada-USA game for the gold medal.  That game is set for 5:30 p.m. CST.

BULLDOG NOTES:  Tuominen and Posa will be arriving at the Duluth Airport tomorrow (Friday), bronze medals in tow at 2:00 p.m.  All media and fans are welcome to great them!!