(Utica) Lina Ljungblom scored the winning goal to give Sweden a 3-1 victory over Denmark in the curtain-raiser of the Women’s World Hockey Championship on Wednesday.
Ljungblom’s goal came late in the second period, with Sweden on the power play. Sofie Lundin’s shot-pass reached Ljungblom, unmarked, who easily beat Danish goalkeeper Emma-Sofie Nordstrom.
Lundin also set the table for Swede Josefin Bouveng’s insurance net in the third period.
Sweden’s Felizia Wikner-Zienkiewicz opened the scoring midway through the middle period.
Nicoline Jensen struck back for Denmark with about eight and a half minutes left on the clock.
Swedish goalkeeper Emma Soderberg faced just five shots.
Nordstrom stopped 36 shots in front of the Danish net.
Finland will face the Czech Republic at the end of the day on Wednesday, and this duel will be followed by that between the United States, reigning world champions, and Switzerland.
Canada begins its tournament on Thursday against Finland.