Finland cruise past Japan and Germany beat Czechs at women’s ice hockey worlds
Finland overcame an early deficit to rout Japan 8-2, securing a second win at the women’s world championship in Denmark as Emmi Juusela sparked a multi-point performance. Finland sits second in Group B with six points, chasing the group leader, while Japan remains at the bottom with a single point. In Group A, Germany edged the Czech Republic 2-1 in a shootout, keeping Germany in second place. The tournament has also been shadowed by a Czech minister’s controversial comments about women’s hockey, for which he later apologized after widespread backlash. The event proceeds with remaining group-stage matchups ahead, including Switzerland-Austria and Sweden-Denmark.
Dive Deeper:
Finland rallied from an early Japan lead, with Remi Koyama scoring for Japan in the opening period before Finland answered decisively.
Emmi Juusela led Finland with a goal, a pair of assists, and key play that helped swing momentum in the Finns' favor, while Sanni Vanhanen added a goal and two assists.
Finland’s goaltender Emilia Kyrkko stopped 15 shots as the team extended its unbeaten run in the group stage.
Japan’s Rio Noro added a second-period goal to briefly stem the momentum, but Finland pulled away with a flurry of scoring from multiple players, including Julia Schalin on a short-handed tally and goals from Emma Nuutinen, Julia Liikala, Sanni Rantala, and Siiri Yrjola.
Germany defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 in a shootout in the other Group A game, lifting Germany to second place while the Czechs fell to third.
The Czech team confronted and later faced formal condemnation over derogatory remarks by Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka about women’s hockey, which he apologized for after a chorus of criticism from players and politicians.
Upcoming schedule included Switzerland vs. Austria in Group A and Sweden vs. Denmark in Group B as the group stage continued.