Finland Cruise Past Japan 8-2 at Women’s Ice Hockey Worlds
Finland beat Japan 8-2 in Herning, Denmark, for a second win at the women's ice hockey world championship, while Germany edged the Czech Republic 2-1 after a shootout in Esbjerg. The Czech team also condemned remarks about women's hockey by its foreign minister.
Finland cruised past Japan 8-2 in Herning, Denmark, to claim a second victory at the women's ice hockey world championship after recovering from an early deficit.
Last year's bronze medalist trailed after Remi Koyama put Japan ahead early on. The Finns answered with three goals in the opening period and never looked back.
Juusela leads the response
Emmi Juusela tied the game, then added another goal and a couple of assists. Sanni Vanhanen finished with a goal and two assists.
Julia Schalin scored a short-handed goal. Emma Nuutinen, Julia Liikala, Sanni Rantala and Siiri Yrjola netted one each.
Goaltender Emilia Kyrkko stopped 15 shots for Finland. Rio Noro scored Japan's second goal.
Group standings
Finland rose to second in Group B with six points, three behind leader Canada. Japan stayed bottom of the group on one point.
In Group A in Esbjerg, Germany edged the Czech Republic 2-1 after a shootout. The result moved Germany up to second, with the Czechs third.
Switzerland were due to play Austria in Group A later in the day, and Sweden were to face Denmark in Group B.
Czech team condemns minister's remarks
Between their games, the Czech team condemned derogatory remarks about women's hockey made by Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka.
Macinka said in a television debate on Sunday that he considered hockey a men's sport. The debate covered the possible entry of a Russia team at the under-18 women's worlds in the Czech Republic in January.
He said he could not imagine the Russian anthem being played in the Czech Republic, despite a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. He also mocked feminists, saying they would be disappointed by a tournament without Russian players, whom he described in derogatory terms.
Macinka has since apologized. Athletes, including Czech NHL players, and politicians had denounced his comments.
Forward Kristýna Kaltounková, the No. 1 pick in last year's PWHL draft, said she did not agree with Russia playing in international competitions. She was clear on the wider point, though.
"Women have the same right to play hockey as men," Kaltounková said. "It doesn't matter who you are, where you come from or what you look like. Sport is for everyone."
