Hungary, France, and Norway picked up wins on the opening day of the IIHF Division 1A women's World Championships in Austria.
Hungary, France, and Norway picked up wins on the opening day of the IIHF Division 1A women's World Championships in Austria.
France and Hungary, who were relegated last year from the IIHF's top division of the World Championships to the Division IA tournament both opened their tournament with wins, as did Norwary, who narrowly missed promotion last year.
France's Stars Come To Play Beating The Netherlands
It was start to finish dominance from France with their top performers coming to play to open the Division IA tournament. Jade Barbirati, who finished second in Quebec's junior women's league this season in scoring with John Abbott College scored first, while Estelle Duvin capped off the scoring. Defender Lea Villiot tallied twice for France, while Margot Huot Marchand also scored. Hitting the scoresheet with helpers were Chloe Aurard, Lore Braudit, and Clara Rozier. France has firepower up front and it showed in their 5-1 win. Netherlands' lone goal came from Bieke Van Nes just beyond the midway point of the game.
Hungary Shuts Out South Korea
Hungary outshot South Korea 37-9 in their opening game of the tournament, securing a 2-0 win. Alexandra Huszak opened the scoring for Hungary in the second period. In the third, University of Minnesota forward Emma Kreisz also found the back of the net in the game. Kreisz was one of Hungary's top threats in the game, and will be counted on despite her age to fill in for the missing Fanni Gasparics, who suffered a season ending injury earlier this year with PWHL Ottawa.
Norway Wins Crucial Game Against Hosts
In a tournament that will be decided by head to head match ups among four well matched teams, Norway struck the first crucial blow against Austria beating the hosts 3-2. After a scoreless first period, Austria's Annika Fazokas scored first with Anja Trummer assisting. One of Norway's top players, Millie Rose Sirum, who had a strong NCAA season with Holy Cross tied the game early in the third with Emma Bergeson, a PWHL Draft prospect, assisting. Norway continued applying pressure with Josefine Biseth Engmann adding to the lead before Sirum scored her second of the game with Bergesen assisting again, and Mathea Fischer also picking up a helper. Fazokas would score again with assists from Theresa Schafzahl and Anna Meixner to pull Austria back within one, but Norway goaltender Ena Nystrom shut the door the rest of the way making 32 stops in total in the 3-2 Norway win.