2026 Olympic Women’s Hockey: Top standouts from Germany vs. Japan
A hungry effort by a team desperate to get into the win column kick-started Saturday’s action in Milan.
Powered by a strong first period, Germany was able to keep their quarterfinal hopes alive with a 5-2 victory over Japan.
It was apparent which team had played before, and which was chomping at the bit after a day of rest. Germany struck first just 44 seconds into the game with captain Daria Gleissner tapping in her first of the tournament.
It was part of a dominant first period that saw the German side pot on a couple of more goals, including a highlight reel marker from veteran Emily Nix.
Germany looked like they were going to blow out the Japanese, as Nicola Hadraschek and Laura Kluge scored twice in the early stage of the second. However, a late power play in the frame led to Japan obtaining some life. Mei Miura scored her first of the tournament, with Yumeka Wajima, Japan’s leading scorer in Beijing, finding the back of the net just 22 seconds later.
While Japan tried to make things interesting, that’s as close as the team would get.
Thanks to a respectable third from Japan, Germany only outshot Japan, 29-22. Miyuu Masuhara was relieved after giving up three goals on 12 shots in the first period. Riko Kawaguchi stopped 15 of the 17 shots she faced. Sandra Abstreiter made 20 saves in the winning effort.
Germany was 0-for-3 on the power play, while Japan went 1-for-3.
Germany
Laura Kluge, F
If Germany is going to have any success in the tournament, they need Laura Kluge to step up. She certainly did that on Saturday. She led the charge with four points, posting three assists, two of which were primary. You could see the confidence in her game that she lacked against Sweden. With some winnable games from here on out, I expect Kluge to continue to shine.
Daria Gleissner, D
After a disappointing loss, you look to your leaders to get things back on track. Gleissner certainly made sure that was the case. Along with scoring the first goal of the game, the captain picked up an assist on Hadrachek’s goal early in the middle stanza. Along with the multi-point effort, she finished the game with a +4 rating, as she was excellent in limiting Japan’s grade-A scoring chances.
Nicola Hadraschek, F
Hadrashchek hasn’t been known as a big-time scorer on the international stage, but she found herself in the right place at the right time against Japan. Her ability to quickly transition led to her first goal in the opening frame, while she knows to put herself in the right place at the right time for her second. I’m excited to see how she continues to excel on the line with Kluge and Nix.
Japan
Mei Miura, F
Japan looked pedestrian for stretches of the first half of the game, but Miura was a catalyst to spark some life into the team. Not only did she get Japan on the board with the long goal on the player advantage in the contest, but she also created the scoring chance that led to Wajima’s tally not long thereafter. While Akane Shiga and Rui Ukita are the team’s stars, players like Miura will need to produce if Japan wants to get to the knockout stage.