Highlights: Outstanding performances mark the opening three days of the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championships

As we dive into the fourth day of the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championships, let’s take a moment to catch up on the thrilling events unfolding in Utica, New York.

This year marks the 23rd edition of the Women’s Worlds since its inauguration in 1990, with the United States hosting for the fifth time. The historical significance of this tournament for Team USA is evident, especially after their triumphant gold medal win in 2017 on home soil in Plymouth, Michigan. Previous host cities include Burlington, Vermont (2012), Minneapolis (2001), and Lake Placid, New York (1994).

A notable presence in this year’s championship is the participation of 39 players from the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). Among them, Team Canada showcases 19 players, Team USA features 11, while Team Czechia, along with representatives from Finland, Germany, Japan, Sweden, and Switzerland, adds to the international flavour of the tournament.

In the opening matches, Sweden clinched a 3-1 victory against Denmark, showcasing their prowess with a pair of goals in the second period. Meanwhile, Czechia dominated Finland with a 4-0 win, notable for being the first penalty-free game in Women’s Worlds history.

The action continued as host nation United States secured a convincing 4-0 win over Switzerland, propelled by Haley Winn’s two-goal performance. Notably, Switzerland marked their 100th game in Women’s World Championship history during this match.

Germany’s 5-1 victory over Denmark sets a challenging trajectory for the Danes, who are now 0-2 in the tournament after their promotion from Division I-A. Conversely, Germany’s win positions them favorably in Group B, where the top three teams advance to the quarter-finals.

In a nail-biting encounter, China edged past Japan 3-2 in a shootout, showcasing the growing strength of the Chinese national program. The victory underscores China’s determination to establish a formidable presence in women’s hockey.

Canada displayed dominance with a 4-1 win over Finland, marking their 100th victory in Women’s World Championship history. Meanwhile, Sweden’s commanding 8-1 win over China solidified their position as a force to be reckoned with in Group B.

For the host team, Alex Carpenter scored three goals to lead the United States to a commanding 6-0 victory over Czechia on Friday night. Despite the win, the United States encountered disciplinary issues, conceding five consecutive powerplays to Czechia during the first two periods. However, Czechia failed to capitalize on these opportunities, and the United States effectively defended, preventing any significant offensive threat.

Regardless of the defeat, Peslarova delivered an impressive performance, facing 48 shots on goal. Czechia will regroup for their next challenge against Canada on Sunday, April 7th.

Looking ahead, the US, Canada and Sweden aim to maintain their winning streaks. With each match unfolding new narratives and showcasing the skill and determination of the players, the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championships are set to deliver an unforgettable display of global hockey talent.