There were only two games on the schedule for the fourth day of the 2022 women’s World Championship in Denmark, with Canada facing Japan, and host Denmark playing Hungary.
As expected, the Group A game resulted in a lopsided victory for Canada, while host Denmark picked up important points in Group B.
Here’s a look at what happened on Sunday:
Canada Downs Japan In Lopsided Affair
Canada held control from start to finish in a lopsided 9-0 win over Japan.
In the opening period, Canada outshot Japan 23-0, capitalizing on Japan’s frequent trips to the penalty box. Only 1:25 into the game Victoria Bach took a pass inside the left circle on the powerplay, walked to the slot, dragged around a Japanese defender and scored short side on Japan’s goaltender Akane Konishi.
Five minutes later, Sarah Fillier and Erin Ambrose moved the puck around the top of Canada’s umbrella on the power play again to find Marie-Philip Poulin who found space on Konishi’s short side to make it 2-0. Fillier narrowly missed breaking the game wide open hitting two crossbars as Japan fought off the relentless Canadian attack in the first. Eventually, Emma Maltais made it 3-0 as Meaghan Mikkelson cleaned up a goalmouth scramble by banking a puck off Maltais and in.
In the second period, Canada’s veteran core picked up the offensive charge with goals by Blayre Turnbull and Marie-Philip Poulin. Turnbull scored finishing a rush on a cross-crease pass from Victoria Bach, while Brianne Jenner stripped a puck before sending Poulin in on a semi-breakaway. Ella Shelton and Jamie Lee Rattray also scored for Canada who entered the final period up 7-0. On Shelton’s goal, Bach again backed in the defenders with her speed before Shelton finished the play top shelf.
The third period saw Sarah Potomak open the scoring before Sarah Fillier finally found the back of the net to make it 9-0.
Canada will have tomorrow off before facing the USA in an all-important final game to decide who will enter the elimination as the top seed.
Jensen Stands Tall For Denmark In Shutout
Denmark rode the hot goaltending of Lisa Jensen to collect their first win of the tournament, a hard-fought 1-0 decision over Hungary.
Jensen faced 45 shots, turning each away while Denmark mustered only 19 in return. After two scoreless periods, the deadlock finally came to a close in the third period at 43:05. The goal came on a smooth transition as Josefine Jakobsen sent a spectacular pass through the neutral zone to find Julie Ostergaard in stride at the Hungary blueline. Ostergaard found herself on a breakaway and went backhand-forehand before roofing a wrister over a sprawling Aniko Nemeth in the Hungarian net.
Hungary will need to pick up points tomorrow against Sweden to avoid facing relegation games while Denmark will close out their tournament Tuesday against Germany, who currently sits last in Group B.
—
Three Stars
1. Sarah Fillier, C (CAN): Sarah Fillier was a constant threat all day for Canada. She finished the game with a goal and two assists, but it could have been more after ringing the crossbar twice. The strength of Fillier’s shot, and ability to manipulate her stick positioning to find openings continuously threatened, and the power-play chemistry Fillier and Marie-Philip Poulin have built will give teams nightmares. Poulin and her two goals could have easily been a star of the day as well.
2. Victoria Bach, RW (CAN): Bach opened the scoring for Canada only 1:25 into the game, but her ability to push the pace, attack with speed, and generate space for her linemates was what stood out. Bach also collected two assists by driving hard into the offensive zone, pushing Japan’s defenders deep, and finding a teammate. Her speed kept Japan on their heels and sparked offensive opportunities. Alongside Blarye Turnbull, who was Canada’s player of the game, the duo played with speed, and created energy for Canada.
3. Lisa Jensen, G (DEN): In front of a home crowd, Lisa Jensen lifted Denmark to their first win of the tournament. Throughout the game, Hungary outshot Denmark 45-19, but Jensen was up to the challenge.
