Monday’s early game at the IIHF Women’s World Championships should have been an exciting one. A regulation win would guarantee Germany third place in Group B and a spot in the playoff round. A Hungarian victory, meanwhile, would give Norway a chance, albeit slight, to avoid relegation by earning a single point against Sweden. If Hungary could win by four goals or more, they might even avoid relegation entirely. Confused yet? Don’t fret. The point is that this was not a meaningless game, but rather one with serious implications for a number of teams.
Unfortunately for fans, both teams stumbled out of the starting blocks. The first period was a tentative affair where each squad managed only five shots, despite each spending ample time on the power play. Hungary squandered a long five-on-three opportunity, opting to stand still and pass meekly around the perimeter rather than attack the net with numbers. Germany’s pair of 5-on-4 advantages were equally impotent, and the score remained knotted at 0.
Seven minutes into the second frame, Hungary took their third straight minor penalty when Mira Seregely was called for holding. On the ensuing power play, Germany finally found twine when Nicola Hadraschek potted a rebound from the goalmouth to make it a 1-0 game. Minutes later, Hungary tied it up when they finally, mercifully, scored their first of the tournament. Emma Kreisz, their big, strong forward who recently wrapped up her sophomore season at the University of Minnesota, walked out from behind the German goal and slid a backhand five hole. The monkey finally off their back, Hungary looked primed to push for a win.
This was, however, not a Disney movie. The Germans, more skilled, faster, more experienced and more organized, took control in the third period. They took advantage of Hungarian turnovers and penalties to score two quick goals: the first a snipe from the point by Katarina Jobst-Smith on the power play, and the second slick dangle from the PWHL’s Laura Kluge. Hadraschek scored her second of the game into an empty net. Kluge and Emily Nix each registered two points and German goalkeeper Sandra Abstreiter made 12 saves for the win.
The German victory ensures that Hungary and Norway will be relegated, while Sweden, Japan and Germany advance to the playoff round.