Germany 3, Switzerland 1
Anyone else just super invested in Germany right now? Because what do you mean they finished second in Group A, right behind the US? They were ranked eighth coming into this tournament and have played themselves into an absolutely spectacular position and you can hear it in their post game quotes how much confidence and belief the team has.
Sandra Abstreiter has been spectacular in net, particularly in the shootout against Czechia. But we knew she would be. What has stood out is the consistent, 60 minute play in front of her.
In this game, they didn't panic when going down 1-0 just eight minutes in. Even though goals are still a little more at a premium than I think they'll need to be to advance into the medal games, a deficit didn't rattle them or change their approach. Switzerland looked like they could take command of this game in the first with the goal and a few other near misses. But Germany withstood the push and regrouped at intermission, coming out looking ready to push back in the second.
Things got extra interesting at the midpoint of the game. Germany thought they scored but the ref immediately waved it off. Germany challenged and when that was unsuccessful, took a penalty. But somehow that was what energized the Germans. A minute after that penalty kill expired Laura Kluge tied the game with some swift skating and a nice touch to lift the puck and beat Saskia Maurer to make it 1-1. Then, just 55 seconds later, Nina Jobst-Smith scored her third of the tournament to give Germany a 2-1 lead.
They played a little looser after that and into the final frame, scoring an insurance goal on what looked like a well-planned and executed play that concluded in a one-timer from Emily Nix that emphatically made it 3-1.
With the win, Germany secured second place and will face Finland in the quarterfinals on Friday.
Canada 2, Finland 0
This was a fascinating game. Finland came out strong and pushed hard from the whistle, putting Canada back on their heels a bit. But the Canadians were able to wrestle back control with a goal from Caitlin Kraemer that Sanni Ahola will probably think about for while to come. She made the initial save but the puck sort of squeaked past her and dribbled into the net. The shot came off a rush where Kraemer skated most of the length of the ice after a strong scoring chance from Finland.
Who knows what would have happened with the mental game and momentum had Kraemer not scored somewhat against the run of play. Because her goal was the only tally for nearly fourty minutes of this game. Canada had started each of their goalies in the games prior to this, so it was just the second start for veteran Ann-Renée Desbiens (she's apparently the oldest player on their roster and I cried in Old Lady upon hearing that). Despite not being super in practice here at the start of the year, Desbiens was solid. Her style is a little risky and chaotic, so I won't lie about it being calm, but it was exactly the game we've come to expect from her, with great positioning, a few saves you're shocked she made and maybe a little too much time out of the crease for comfort.
Speaking of veterans, it was Finland captain Jenni Hiirikoski's 100th Women's Worlds game. She's played in 17 tournaments. It's an absolutely ridiculous acheivement and she's the first woman to reach that number. Also, she led everyone in this game with 21:06 on ice. She's just bonkers. I don't have a better word.
Anyway, Sarah Fillier scored in the third and Canada won, but it'll remain to be seen if this was a very good game from Finland that they can build on or if this was a game that exposed some things for Canada that others will exploit.
USA 8, Czechia 1
The Americans scored early and often in this one while Czechias struggles continued. When you're a team that's struggling to score, playing what is probably the best defense in the world certainly doesn't help your case. Having to beat Aerin Frankel even if you manage to get through the defense just adds insult to injury.
Abbey Murphy scored in the opening minute of play. She and Taylor Fox have proved a formidable line pairing with Hannah Bilka. Fox and Murphy played together at Minnesota and they bring not just chemistry and a knack for knowing what the other is doing, but also a similar approach to the offensive zone, with a lot of quick cycling of the puck and the patience to wait for the ice to open up. They'd go on to connect on one of the better goals of the tournament so far midway through the second. Fox slashed across the slot and passed back across her body to Murphy behind her. The one-touch shot somewhere between a slapper and a wrister had power and pace and was in the back of the net before anyone could blink. That was the US's fourth goal, which prompted a goaltending change for Czechia. Regular starter Klára Peslarová was given rest before the quarterfinals. Clarkson junior Aneta Šenková took the first 30 minutes while St. Thomas' Daniela Nováková came in for the second 30.
While some of the younger stars had taken the spotlight at the start of the tournament, Hilary Knight showed why many are asking about her supposed desire to retire. The 37-year-old tallied a hat trick on Wednesday, capping it off with a short-hander early in the third to make it 7-0 USA. Grace Zumwinkle, Laila Edwards and Alex Cartpenter also scored for the Americans in the win.
Natálie Mlýnková scored late in the game to salvage a bit for the Czechs as they head into a tough quarterfinal matchup with Canada. That's what Czechia earned by finishing fourth in Group A.
Sweden 5, Japan 0
Thea Johansson scored less than a minute into the game and that set the tone. That early lead took a lot of pressure off and seemed to allow Sweden to play looser and have a little more fun. Wilma Sundin scored twice in her first game of the tournament while Mira Hallin, Maja Nylén Persson and Lisa Johansson each had an assist that was their first point of the tournament.
I had higher hopes for Japan in this tournament and they just didn't ever seen to really come together as a cohesive team that could make an impact here. There had been some really good signs from the U18 team two years ago in Vantaa but at least thus far, that has not shown up here with the senior team. I'm loathe to say that players have to leave the country and go around the world, but it seems clear that sticking in Japan and playing domestically, which nearly everyone on this roster does, is not going to result in a competitive team at this level. Their one young player who did go to Canada for prep school and is committed to the NCAA, Umeka Odaira, was clearly a step ahead of her teammates. I want their to be other options for countries not named USA or Canada, but it doesn't seem like any of them are going to invest and develop to the necessary level on their own.
Coming up on Wednesday, November 11
- 5:00 AM Eastern – Japan vs. Austria - Relegation Game (TSN)
- 9:00 AM Eastern – Quarterfinals - Canada vs. Czechia (NHL Network, TSN)
- 9:00 AM Eastern – Quarterfinals - Germany vs. Finland (TSN)
- 1:00 PM Eastern – Quarterfinals - USA vs. Denmark (NHL Network, TSN)
- 1:00 PM Eastern – Quarterfinals - Sweden vs. Switzerland (TSN)
(Photo: IIHF)
