It didn’t take long for Sweden to assert themselves as the new entry among the world’s top women’s hockey teams as they easy handled Switzerland, winning 4-1 in Kloten.
Sweden jumped out to an early lead in the opening game of the series with a pair of first period goals from Thea Johansson and Maja Nylen Persson. In the second Tre Kronor continued their dominance with Hilda Svensson finding the back of the net.
It wasn’t until the 47th minute of the game that Switzerland capitalized on a power play with teenager Naemi Herzig tallying the lone Swiss goal in the game. With less than three minutes to go in the game, Sweden put any hopes for a Swiss comeback on ice as Elin Svensson scored a power play goal of her own.
Czechia Edges Finland In Bronze Medal Rematch
Only four months ago, Czechia and Finland were lining up for a shootout to decide the bronze medal game at the IIHF Women’s World Championships, which eventually went to Finland.
Finland almost sent this game to overtime, but Czechia held on for a 3-2 win. After a scoreless opening frame, PWHL Ottawa’s Tereza Vanisova got the Czech’s on the board at 2:38 of the second. After missed power play opportunities from both teams, Denisa Krizova gave Czechia a 2-0 lead scoring an unassisted goal.
After Katerina Mrazova gave Czechia a 3-0 lead with less than seven minutes remaining in the game, Finland powered back to give their opponent a scare. Only 33 seconds later, Petra Nieminen opened the scoring for the Finns, and they weren’t done there. Pulling their netminder, Anni Keisala, PWHL New York forward Noora Tulus scored with 1:48 remaining. Finland continued to push, but it wasn’t enough as Czechia’s Klara Peslarova shut the door holding onto Czechia’s 3-2 win.
“It was quite nervous at the beginning, there were quite a few mistakes and inaccuracies, but it was the first match of the season,” said Czechia’s Tereza Vanisova in a translated interview. “But it got better with each third, it got better.”
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Germany Beats France In Four Nations Tournament
In a separate Four Nations tournament, Germany grabbed a narrow win over France on home ice. Laura Kluge, who continues to receive significant PWHL interest, opened the scoring for Germany in the second period. Nicola Eisenschmid added to Germany’s lead with Kluge picking up her second point of the night assisting on the goal along with Emily Nix. Just over a minute into the third Chloe Aurard of PWHL New York capitalized shorthanded for France to close the gap, but German netminder Sandra Abstreiter closed the door holding onto Germany’s 2-1 win.
Slovakia Upsets Hungary
Hungary has appeared in the top division of World competition recently, while Slovakia played in the third tier tournament this year. Despite that perceived gap, Slovakia’s youth movement is beginning to show as they took a 2-1 upset win. 18-year-old Tatiana Blichova opened the scoring for Slovakia followed shortly by Lucia Istocyova to give Slovakia a 2-0 leading heading into the third. 15-year-old Hungarian forward Reka Hiezl scored with just over three minutes to go, but EWHL All-Star Andrea Risianova held on in net to keep Slovakia’s 2-1 lead.
