Following a crushing 5-0 defeat against the USA in the Olympic preliminary round, Tero Lehterä, head coach of the Finnish women's ice hockey team, expressed his hope that the team can still achieve victory in future matches against dominant teams like the USA and Canada. With a stark record showing only one win since 2008 against the USA, the team faces significant challenges in their quest for success, highlighted by the recent match where they were outshot 49 to 11 by their opponents.

Lehterä emphasized that despite the overwhelming nature of the game, where he likened it to a prolonged 'washing machine cycle', he believes the team can improve their chances in one-off matches, differing from a best-of-five series. He pointed out the importance of smarter play and highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in face-offs, suggesting that if the team can address these issues, they could potentially turn their fortunes around in future encounters.

The coach's optimism serves as a rallying call for the team and its supporters, reinforcing that while the immediate loss is disheartening, the spirit of competition and the dream of winning against formidable opponents remain alive. As the team prepares to regroup and strategize for the challenges ahead, Lehterä's comments aim to inspire confidence and resilience within the squad, emphasizing the journey ahead in their international campaign.