(Utica) Natalie Mlynkova scored a hat trick and added an assist in the Czech Republic’s 6-1 win over Switzerland on Tuesday at the Women’s World Hockey Championship.
The Czech Republic finished the group stage in third place in Group A, with two wins and two losses.
Tereza Vanisova and Daniela Pejsova both had a goal and an assist in the victory.
Aneta Terjralova completed the scoring for the Czech Republic with 37 seconds left in regulation. Lara Stadler hit the target for Switzerland.
Klara Peslarova stopped 18 shots in front of the net for the Czech Republic, which won bronze in the last two editions of the championship.
Saskia Maurer made 30 saves for Switzerland, which lost its four group stage games in regulation.
The five teams from Group A and the best three from Group B advance to the quarter-finals.
The Czech Republic will play Germany, who finished atop Group B following a 3-0 victory over China earlier Tuesday.
Switzerland will face Finland, fourth in Group A.
Germany’s Laura Kluge opened the scoring after just 28 seconds of play, in addition to obtaining an assist. Germany has won all four of its matches.
Emily Nix and Bernadette Karpf also found the back of the net and goalkeeper Lisa Hemmerle blocked nine shots to record the shutout.
Grace Zhan stopped 41 shots for China.
Denmark can finish third in their group and advance to the quarter-finals if they win their final match. Japan could advance to the playoff round with a victory in regulation – or overtime, but only if they score at least three goals.
China can continue its tournament only if Japan wins its last duel in overtime by a score of 1-0 or 2-1.
The team that finishes third in Group B will face the Americans, the defending champions.
Canada will face Sweden.