Olympics women’s hockey, Switzerland vs. Japan results and highlights
Switzerland keeps rolling in Olympics women’s hockey after beating Japan 3-1 on Monday, Feb. 12
So far, Olympic women’s hockey has been quite exciting. Monday’s match between Switzerland and Japan was no different. Much like Sunday’s game between Team USA and Finland, the two teams were scoreless after 20 minutes. However, two second-period scores for Switzerland led them to a 3-1 win over Japan.
After tying an Olympic record with four goals against Korea on Saturday, Alina Muller, sister of New Jersey Devils defenseman Mirco Mueller, scored an additional goal against Japan. Her goal was scored in the third period and gave Switzerland a 3-0 lead.
The two goals in the second period scored by the Swiss were both scored by Sara Benz. Laura Benz and Dominique Ruegg picked up the two assists on her first goal. On Benz’s second goal, Christine Meier and Lara Stadler picked up the two assists.
Switzerland goaltender Florence Schelling was outstanding in net. She stopped all but one of the 38 shots on goal she saw. In the third period alone, Schelling saw 20 shots, but stopped 19 of them. Hanae Kubo was the lone Japan skater to put a puck past her, so give her a lot of credit.
For most of the game, Japan was kept at bay. Switzerland started playing far more conservatively after Mueller’s third-period goal. As mentioned earlier, Japan got 20 shots on goal in the third. They also limited Switzerland to just one shot on goal in the first 20 minutes.
Highlights
45." ET C'EST BUUUUUUUT par Alina Müller! #SUI 3#JPN 0 pic.twitter.com/Tf2ARNDj7b
— Swiss Ice Hockey (@SwissIceHockey) February 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/SwissIceHockey/status/962987075531309056
34." "Einer geht noch, einer geht noch rein" muss wohl Sara Benz' Motto heute sein. 2:0, Tolle Vorarbeit aber auch von Chrigi Meier. pic.twitter.com/fWHnCB6EAX
— Swiss Ice Hockey (@SwissIceHockey) February 12, 2018
Next: Best Olympian from each state
What’s Next?
Switzerland advances to 2-0-0 in the Olympics. Pending the results of the game between Sweden and Korea, they could be in first-place. At the very least, they’ll be in second because it’s likely Sweden will have a higher goal differential. This makes their game on Tuesday against Sweden critical in Group B.
As for Japan, they fall to 0-2-0 on the tournament. That’s two tough losses so far in the tournament for them. They will face Korea on Wednesday.