Czechia won the bronze medal game at the Women’s World Hockey Championship on Sunday in Herning, Denmark, defeating Switzerland 4-2.
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At the same time, they got their hands on the first medal in their history in this competition, they who took part in only six of the 21 editions of the tournament, never finishing better than sixth.
The winners of this duel took advantage of a frenzied first half to overcome their opponents, who flashed the red light four times in the first 30 minutes.
Natalie Mlynkova and Daniela Pejsova started the ball rolling in the first half. Vendla Pribylova added early in the second period, then Mlynkova, with her second of the game, closed the Czechs’ push.
Proof of their dominance in the first two periods, the winners of the day directed 24 pucks on the net of Andrea Braendli during the first 40 minutes of play, against only five shots for their opponents. The Swiss door finally repelled 23 pucks in total.
At the other end of the rink, goaltender Klara Peslarova yielded on one of the two shots she faced in the first period, a success from Alina Marti. Peslarova was busier in the third frame, yielding only once, to Nicole Vallario, on 13 shots.
In their defence, the Swiss could only dress 17 skaters, who were devastated by absences and injuries.
The Japanese remain in Group A
Earlier in the day, the Japanese secured their place in Group A of the upcoming World Women’s Hockey Championship, who earned fifth place in this edition by virtue of a very narrow 1-0 penalty shootout victory. against the Finns.
The winners will be able to thank their goalkeeper Miyuu Masuhara profusely, who stopped all 61 shots aimed at her during the 60 minutes of regulation and 10 minutes of added time.
In the penalty shootout, she was thwarted just once in five attempts, but her teammates secured her back by defeating Finnish keeper Anni Keisala twice during the session. The latter had previously blocked 16 Japanese attempts.
Fifth place for the Japanese represents their best ever result at this event, while sixth place for the Finns represents their worst result ever.