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2022 Worlds

2022 Worlds: Switzerland, US advance to semifinals

A shootout sends the Swiss to the semis

Switzerland beat Japan, 2-1 in a shootout

The Swiss were once again without some of their key players due to both injury and positive COVID cases. Per the Swiss federations, Noemi Ryhner and Laura Zimmermann were both injured in the game against Finland and are done for the tournament. Lara Stalder had previously tested positive for COVID, and now Alina Müller has as well. Alessia Bächler, who has also been out for COVID protocol, tested negative and will be able to play in the next game.

Japan went winless in their first time in Group A but looked markedly better and more even matched in their rematch against fellow Group A’s Switzerland. Makoto Ito opened the scoring in the second period. Sinja Leemann tied it up in third, and it would remain scoreless through the rest of regulation and overtime.

Switzerland’s Alina Marti and Sinja Leemann scored the lone goals in the shootout to send them on to the semifinals. Japan will head to the placement game against the other losing teams from the quarterfinals

IIHF RECAP

USA beat Hungary, 12-1

While the game ended about how everyone expected, the first period was definitely unexpected.

The US, favored by a long shot to win, was held to only one goal and 18 shots. Hungary played outstanding defense. By and large they kept the US to the outside and didn’t let the US get close the net, where the top seed has been scoring most of their goals thus far in the tournament.

The second period was a different story, and the one people expected most likely. The US was dominate, scoring with ease and nearly nonstop, putting up 9 goals on 32 shots. To the surprise of no one who has been following the tournament and Team USA, Taylor Heise extended her points lead by picking up a hat trick - she had the lone goal in the first period and then two in the second period. It’s hard to believe she’s in her first tournament.

Hungary had a solid chance when they had a two-skater advantage about midway through the second period. They had a really good flurry and a few solid chances but couldn’t convert.

The final frame largely more of the same, but with a side of history sprinkled in.

Hilary Knight officially broke the all time points record at IIHF World Championships as she scored the US’s 11th goal of the game at 43:00. She - and everyone - had initially thought she had broken the record in the second but a scoring change negated that and made the moment that much sweeter since it came on a goal.

Hilary Knight breaks all-time points record at Worlds

Later in the period, Hungary made history of their own. This was the first meeting of the countries and the European team scored their first goal. There was a bit of a net front scramble after Aerin Frankel - who had entered the game early in the third period - made a save but gave up a juicy rebound to the Hungarian player camped out in front of her. Alexandra Huszak collected the puck and snuck around her to break the shutout.

Hannah Bilka would score to close out the game, and give her a hat trick.

The US will move on to Saturday’s semifinals while Hungary will head to the placement round.

IIHF RECAP

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