INNSBRUCK, Jan 22 - Sweden won Gold in Women's Ice Hockey with a 3-0 triumph over Austria on Sunday but the home nation's players were just as pleased to claim Silver at the Innsbruck 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games.

Emmy ALASALMI (SWE) led the Swedes with two goals while goalkeeper Sara BESSELING (SWE) made 27 saves for the shutout. BESSELING and Sweden's other goalkeeper, Jessica WAHLSTROM HJORTH (SWE), finished the competition without conceding a goal in six games.

"It is the best feeling in the world," BESSELING, who capped a remarkable season with the Innsbruck 2012 Gold, said. She was one of 14 players on the Swedish team to add the Youth Olympic Games Gold to the Bronze medal the nation's team claimed at the world Under-18 championships earlier this month. "It feels so good," she added.

The Austrians played their best game of the tournament, and while they lost 3-0 to the Swedes for the second time in a week, they played tighter defensively and their effort was reflected in the shot tally. The Swedes had 27 shots, which was half the total they amassed when these teams met in the preliminary round.

"We showed we can play," Anna MEIXNER (AUT) said. "We are taking steps. Women's hockey was on the floor when the Youth Games started and this is a big step. Now we have to get money from (the Austrian Olympic Committee) to keep going. We don't want to lose our programme."

"It is a great feeling, it's unbelievable that we have won a medal at home," captain Tamara GRASCHER (AUT) added. "We got a medal, everyone didn't expected it from us but we have it. I think it's big, it's great that we have it. Surely [people] will think about women's hockey and that we can also play."

The Austrian women had the backing of a vocal home crowd, who saw their heroes smother Sweden's attack for most of the first period. When the Swedes managed to get a good scoring chance, goalkeeper Paula Camilla MARCHHART (AUT) was equal to the task.

Austria's attack struggled for the most part and did not get a shot off until there was just over four minutes left in the opening period, when MEIXNER went end-to-end on a rush, much to the delight of the fans.

Austria was killing a penalty when ALASALMI scored from a faceoff at 13:20 of the first period.

Lina BACKLIN (SWE) made it 2-0 on a slap shot from the point with 10 seconds left in the second period, and any chance of an Austrian comeback was snuffed out when ALASALMI scored her second goal of the game at 7:07 of the third period.

When the final buzzer sounded, the Swedes tossed their gloves in the air, threw off their helmets and mobbed their goaltender in celebration.

"It's a big experience and we just had fun, it's maybe once in a lifetime," BACKLIN (SWE) said. "It's so big, I can't describe it. I really can't. It means so much for Swedish women's hockey, we're on our way forward. This has been a big experience for women's hockey in Sweden."

The Austrians watched the celebrations and then gathered at their bench.

"Our coach told us to be proud, we have come so far," MEIXNER said. "I am proud of this team."

"I hope that women's hockey is more popular than ever after this event. So many more girls will want to play Ice Hockey."

YIS aa/rm