UTICA – It was only a matter of time before Sweden broke through in Wednesday's opening game of the International Ice Hockey Federation's World Women's Championship.
Sweden defeated Denmark 3-1, allowing one goal late in the game, but outscoring their opponents 38-5. Sweden controlled the flow of play in the first game of Pool B of the 10-team tournament, holding Denmark to just two shots at Adirondack Bank Center, a bus full of area school kids. There was nothing during the first and second hours in front of the Kids Day crowd.
When to watch:IIHF Women's World Championship Hockey Schedule
The first period remained scoreless, with zeros on the board until midway through the second period, when Felizia Wikner Zienkiewicz carried the puck across the blue line and took it from the right wing to the faceoff circle. He crossed the line, curled his shot around the defender and took the shot. Crossbar at 12:19.
The Swedes struck again on the power play at the end of the period, with Lina Ljungblom converting a centering pass from Hilda Svensson. Josephine Buben scored for Sweden. At 11:26 of the third period, Nicolin Jensen scored from a scrum in front of the goal with an assist from Olivia Lanham, scoring the Denmark goal.
Jensen's goal came on Denmark's third shot of the game.
For Sweden, Sophie Lundin provided two assists, while Sara Hjalmarsson and Maja Nylen Persson each provided one assist.
Denmark nullified the first two penalties and scored another in the third period. Sweden was penalty-free until the final five minutes.
Emma-Sophie Nordstrom made 36 saves to keep Denmark in the game. The 21-year-old recently completed her sophomore season at St. Lawrence University. Sweden's Emma Soderberg hit back with four points. Soderbergh stopped 92.4% of his opponents' shots in last year's tournament and is only a third-year starter at the world championships.
This is Denmark's fourth return to the league after being relegated last year. This year, Denmark and China replaced France and Hungary in the top division.
Denmark will play Germany again on Thursday afternoon in their first appearance. Germany won three out of four games in pool play last year, but lost in a shutout to the United States in the final tournament. Sweden has a day off before playing China in their opening match on Friday.
