The opening match of the Finland women's hockey team at the Milan Olympics turned out to be a challenging experience, culminating in a 0-5 loss against the USA. The game, marked by a staggering shot count of 49 to 11 in favor of the USA, underscored the dominance of the American team. While the loss was heavy, it was not entirely unexpected, as Finland has historically struggled against the USA in women's hockey, having only achieved a single victory in a major tournament back in 2008.

This match highlighted the substantial gap in skill levels between the top teams, represented by the USA and Canada, and other nations. In women’s hockey, both the USA and Canada operate on a different tier in terms of foundational skills such as skating, shooting, passing, and physical play. The significance of this match was minimized by the context that outcomes against such powerhouse teams rarely determine Finland's prospects in the tournament, as the Finnish team often approaches these games with limited expectations.

The implication of this defeat, while initially disappointing, serves to reiterate the need for development in women's hockey in Finland. It also brings attention to the structural challenges faced by teams in smaller nations. As the tournament progresses, the Naisleijonat (Women’s Lions) will need to focus on building for future competitions while acknowledging the gaps that exist at the highest levels of the sport. Without significant improvements, facing teams like the USA and Canada will continue to be daunting in future Olympic appearances.