It’s officially the elimination round. We are down to eight teams, all playing for a chance at a medal. The first day of elimination games had two quarter-finals on the schedule.
United States 4 – Czech Republic 1
I’m not sure anyone predicted that this game would be tied at one heading into the third period. The game was scoreless until Hilary Knight and Michaela Pejzlova exchanged goals just 12 seconds apart.
Come the third period, the USA was finally able to get their offence moving. Lee Stecklein scored the go-ahead goal almost seven minutes into the third period. With just over three minutes to go, Savannah Harmon gave the USA some breathing room, making the score 3-1. Kendall Coyne-Schofield scored the final goal of the game on the empty net.
Team USA outshot the Czech Republic 59-6 throughout the game. Klara Peslarova was lights out in net for the Czech team and kept the game close. Alex Cavallini had a quiet night but left with the win.
Canada 11 – Sweden 0
The offensive dominance continued for Canada in their quarter-final game against Sweden, making for a relatively stress-free evening. After two periods, Canada was already leading 9-0.
It was another two hat trick game for Canada with both Sarah Fillier and Brianne Jenner scoring three goals. Jamie Lee Rattray, Natalie Spooner, Emily Clark, Erin Ambrose, and Blayre Turnbull all grabbed a goal each.
Canada outshot their opponent 56-11 with Emerance Maschmeyer stopping all the shots that she faced. Emma Soderberg and Ida Boman split the net for Sweden.
The United States and Canada are the first two teams to punch their ticket to the semi-finals. They await the winners of the other two quarter-final games.
Saturday’s games on the women’s side:
ROC vs Switzerland
Finland vs Japan
Unbenched Sports 