Women’s World Championship Day 1

For the second year the Women's World Championships is played in a format with A and B groups. The four top seeded teams Canada, USA, Finland and Switzerland plays in one group where the top two teams qualfiy for the semi finals while team three and four will play quarter finals against the top two teams of the B group where Russia, Sweden, Czech Republic and Germany play.

Russia took a solid win in the opening game of the tournament beating Germany 4-0. Nadezhda Alexandrova only needed 14 saves for the shutout. But even if Russia dominated the game the scorew as only 1-0 until the last eight minutes when Russia added three goals. The goals were scored by Solovyova, Belyakova, Smolentseva and Tkachyova.

In the other game of group B Czech Republic some what surprisingly beat Sweden in their first ever WWC game at top level. The Czechs took the lead 2-0 in the first with goals by Povova and Chmelova but Sweden tied it in the second after goals by Grahm and Holmlöv. However at 37:09 Eva Holesvoa scored what turned out to be the game winner when she recieved a pass from behind the net and scored from close range. In the third Sweden only managed two shots on goal despite being down 2-3.

The loss was a hard blow for Sweden who suffered another blow just before the game when star goalie Kim Martin as she ruptured here achilles tendon in practice. Seven years ago Sweden won silver at the olympics and was expected to challenge the top teams, now they seem to be heading the other way.

In the top group Finland won 2-1 against Switzerland. Despite 44-17 in shots the game was tight. Kathrin Nabholz gave the Swiss the lead but the Finns turned things around with two goals in great second period. Goals scored by Rajahuhta and Lindstedt. The game winner by Lindstedt a power play goal when she tipped in a shot.

The last game of the day was the likely final between hosts Canada and USA. In a close game Canada won after shoot-out but and won two points. But it was close that it was no points at all for the hosts when USA lead 2-0 halfway through the third period. Johnston made it 1-2 at 51:13 and with 1:47 left to play the game was tied. Catherine Ward tied the game when she some what luckily got an open net after shot by Vaillancourt bounced the right way for Canada.

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