2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship Day 3 Recap: USA, Sweden take care of business, Canada squeaks by Switzerland

The third day of the Women’s World Championship, two favorites to win their respective groups came away with significant performances, but one goaltender caused a little havoc against a perennial contender.

Let’s see what went down on Friday in Utica:

Group A

Edwards makes history against Czechia

It was a historic moment in the last game of the night, as one of the new faces on the American roster stepped up against Czechia, leading the hosts to a 6-0 win.

The United States controlled the play for most of the game. They struck first minutes into the game after a nice play by Alex Carpenter opened the scoring.

In the second period, the U.S. ramped up the pressure. Shortly after a power play expired, Carpenter banged in a rebound after a missed point shot by Caroline Harvey to make it 2-0. Then, with just a few minutes remaining in the frame, Laila Edwards ripped a shot over the catching glove of Klara Peslarova to put the Americans up by three heading into the third.

The University of Wisconsin product’s goal marked the first goal from a black woman for Team USA. Edwards doubled down with another tally just a few minutes into the final frame.

The Americans finished the game off with goals from Taylor Heise and Carpenter, who completed the first hat trick in the tournament.

The host nation did have to kill off a late penalty, as Kirsten Simms was given a five-minute major penalty, and a game misconduct, for cross-cheching Czechia’s Karolina Kosinova.

The United States outshot the Czechs, 48-19.

Carpenter earned player of the game honors for the U.S., while Nicole Hensley pitched a 19-save shutout.

Peslarova was named Czechia’s player of the game after making 42 saves.

Team USA (2-0-0-0) is back in action on Saturday, as they face Finland. Czechia (1-0-0-1) meets with Canada on Sunday.

Swiss keep it close against Canada

While Canada managed to pick up their second win in as many days, it certainly was not a pretty one. While they controlled most of the game, they could not build up a distance between and Switzerland in a 3-0 win.

Canada certainly got started on the right foot when Natalie Spooner created an opportunity, with Emma Maltais completing it with her second goal in as many days just 70 seconds into the game.

Then, just a few minutes later, fellow PWHL Toronto teammate Sarah Nurse scored her first goal of the tournament by ripping a shot over the shoulder of Swiss netminder Andrea Braendli to put Canada up by two.

The Canadians did everything possible to extend the lead in the second period, firing 23 shots on goal. However, as we have grown accustomed, Braendli stood on her head, turning away each chance. Thanks to the play of the MoDo netminder, Switzerland still trailed by just two heading into the third period.

In a rare change of fortune between the Canadians and the Swiss, the “neutral” country had spurts of control in the third period, forcing Emerance Maschmeyer to make some key saves. Despite the opportunities, Eisgenossinnen could not beat the PWHL Ottawa goaltender, as an empty-net goal from Sarah Fillier secured the win for Canada.

Defender Ella Shelton was named Canada’s player of the game. After a strong outing against Finland on Thursday, the PWHL New York blueliner was solid in her own end. Maschmeyer pitched a shutout by stopping all 17 shots she faced.

Laura Zimmerman was named Switzerland’s player of the game, but Braendli was the star once again, making 42 saves in the losing effort.

Canada (2-0-0-0) gets a day off before a key tilt against Czechia on Sunday. Switzerland (0-0-0-2) does not play again until Monday, when they meet with Finland.

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Group B

Sweden dominates against China

After narrowly pulling out a win against Denmark in their tournament opener on Wednesday, Sweden left no doubt on Friday by beating China, 8-1.

China came into the matchup emotionally drained after earning a stunning win over Japan on Thursday, and it showed early on. Sweden was on the Chinese team from the get-go, leading the shot count 19-0 at the end of the opening period. Hilda Svensson scored her first two goals of the tournament less than three minutes apart to open the scoring.

Sweden tacked on a couple more goals before the end of the frame, as Lina Ljungblom and Felizia Winker Zienkiewicz each potted their second goals of the tournament.

The onslaught continued in the middle frame, as the Damkronorna scored thrice in the opening three minutes of the second period. Sofie Ludin and Hanna Olsson each found the back of the net, while Josefin Bouveng scored her second of the Women’s Worlds.

China was able to get on the board to cut into the lead, and had a couple of solid shifts after falling behind. Kong Minghui scored on a pretty play for the team’s third goal of the tournament.

Not too long after that, however, Sarah Hjalmarsson restored Sweden’s lead, and Sweden took the 8-1 lead into the third. They ended up backing off the pressure in the third, skating to the easy victory.

Sweden ended up outshooting China, 56-6, the second time so far they have held their opponent to under 10 shots on goal. Ida Boman picked up with win after making just five saves.

Svensson was named Sweden’s player of the game after scoring three points. Defender Paula Bergstrom registered three assists, while Lundin and Ljungblom both scored two points.

Zhan Jiahui, the hero for China in game one, was pulled after giving up four goals in the opening period. Wang Yuqing allowed four on 36 shots. Kong was named the team’s player of the game.

Sweden (2-0-0-0) will face Japan on Sunday, while China (0-1-0-1) gets to take on Denmark on Sunday.

Three Stars

1. Alex Carpenter, F, United States: One of the most prolific point producers in the PWHL had a big night on Friday, scoring thrice against Czechia. The Massachusetts native has four points through the first two games of the tournament.
2. Hilda Svensson, F, Sweden: A lot is being made about the teenagers in the tournament, and Svensson is one of the rising stars who is making an impact despite only being 17 years old. She led Sweden in scoring last year, and is off to a good start in Utica.
3. Andrea Braendli, G, Switzerland: It is hard not to show love to a goaltender who has given her best game-in and game-out despite showing up on the losing end of the box score. Through two games, the 26-year-old has made 93 saves on 99 shots faced.

For the full schedule, go to IIHF.com