Sweden vs Switzerland women’s ice hockey World Championship quarterfinal, Digi Mart USA News: Sweden have qualified for the quarterfinals of the women’s ice hockey World Championship after a 5-0 win over Japan in their final group-stage match.
Sweden, already assured of a playoff place, rested key players Hilda Svensson and Jenna Raunio. Thea Johansson opened the scoring with a wrist shot to make it 1-0, and Sweden led 3-0 after the first period before winning 5-0.
Brynäs forward Wilma Sundin, playing her first match of the tournament, was named player of the match after scoring two goals. SVT expert Johanna Lagus said there was a clear class difference between the teams.
Sweden finished second in Group A and will face Switzerland, the third-place team in Group B, in the quarterfinal on Friday. Switzerland beat Sweden in overtime in the bronze-medal game at the Milan Cortina Olympics in February, and Sweden has since met Switzerland three times, winning two of those matches.
The exact start time has not yet been confirmed.
Sweden finished the group stage with three wins in four games. The most impressive result was a 4-1 win over Finland.
The only defeat came against Olympic silver medalist Canada, 1-5.
Goalkeeper Ebba Svensson Träff said the group environment has been strong. “It’s the best group I’ve been in.
Everyone works for each other, and I enjoy every day here,” she said. “The chemistry we have in the group is incredible, so it will take us a long way.”
The women’s World Championship is being held in Esbjerg and Herning, Denmark.
