The IIHF women's World Championships are headed to the quarterfinals with the tournament's top eight teams set to play elimination games. Here's a look at each match up.
The IIHF women's World Championships are headed to the quarterfinals with the tournament's top eight teams set to play elimination games. Here's a look at each match up.
The preliminary round is over with USA finishing atop Group A and Germany winning Group B. The quarterfinal match ups waited until the final buzzer of the preliminary round ended to be decided as Japan beat Denmark to grab the last spot in the quarterfinals, and send China and Denmark back to Division IA through relegation. Here's a look at each quarterfinal.
USA vs. Japan
Japan narrowly avoided relegation, a true scare for a nation who played in Group A last year, but things will not be easy for them in the quarterfinals against USA. USA's speed and physicality will be too much for Japan. Offensively, Japan has leaned heavily on a small group of players including Akane Shiga, Haruka Toko, Makato Ito, and Rui Ukita. USA's defensive group won't face much pressure from this group however, as the checking of their forward core should keep Japan pinned in their zone for the majority of the game. USA's youth was on full display in the preliminary round, and the group will continue to drive pressure and the pace. USA's veteran line of Alex Carpenter, Kendall Coyne Schofield, and Hilary Knight has also been effective in this tournament with Coyne Schofield being the possession driver of the trio. The only question for USA in this game is how large of a margin they win by, and perhaps if they decide to give Gwyneth Philips a start, or play Nicole Hensley again to rest Frankel prior to the semi finals.
Canada vs. Sweden
Truly, Canada would have likely preferred to play Germany or even Group A opponent Switzerland in this game. The Swiss are on a downward slide and may not stay in Group A. Sweden however, struggled against Germany, but remains the biggest threat for an upset from Group B. Last year in the quarterfinals, Sweden pushed Canada to the brink of elimination. Hilda Svensson tied the game late, before Canada managed to win in overtime taking a 3-2 decision against Sweden. It's something that will certainly factor into the approach and mindset of Team Canada. Whether they take that as motivation to not take anything for granted, or it drifts into their consciousness and causes them to play tight is yet to be seen. Sweden has a talented group of players who once more of their roster joins the NCAA and PWHL next season will become a legitimate threat to teams in Group A, and should find themselves among the top five in the world soon. Could this be their statement game? It will take a huge performance from Emma Soderberg in net, and forwards Lina Ljungblom, Hilda Svensson, and Hanna Olsson, along with big minutes from Maja Nylen Persson, Mira Jungaker, and Anna Kjellbin in holding off Canada's attack.
Czechia vs. Germany
These teams play similar in some ways. They both play a puck pursuit, scrappy game where team defense is a priority. Germany has outperformed expectations in this tournament, while many wanted to see Czechia take another step forward in relation to closing the gap against Canada and USA. With Katerina Mrazova and Dominika Laskova in the lineup, Czechia may have done that, but without them, depth in developing nations is put on display. For this game, Czechia remains the heavy favorite, but Germany has received strong play from several including netminder Sandra Abstreiter, Luisa and Lilli Welcke, Nina Jobst-Smith and Laura Kluge, who leads Germany in scoring, and has also been their go to forward in defensive situations. If there's space for an upset in the quarterfinals, this is it, but Czechia remains the heavy favorite.
Finland vs. Switzerland
It's hard to imagine Finland not advancing through this game to set up a semi-final of Canada, USA, Czechia, and Finland, clearly the four best teams in this tournament. That said, Andrea Brandli has made a compelling case for Best Goaltender in this tournament from start to finish holding off a barrage against the Swiss. Scoring for the Swiss has been non-existent recording only three goals in four preliminary round games. They'll need Lara Stalder and Alina Muller to pull this weight almost exclusively. Finland on the other hand will attack in waves as they feature four forward lines all capable of producing, along with multiple defenders who can strike as well. Petra Nieminen, Michelle Karvinen, Susanna Tapani, Noora Tulus, Elisa Holopainen, Viivvi Vainikka, Jenni Hiirikoski, Ronja Savolainain, and Nelli Laitinen, to name only a few, provide too much depth for the Finns. The biggest challenge for Finland will be scoring early to dampen the Swiss hopes and plant doubt in netminder Andrea Brandli's game.