(Utica) Josefin Bouveng had two goals and an assist to guide Sweden to a 6-2 victory over Japan on Sunday at the Women’s World Hockey Championship.
Sweden remained undefeated in Group B since the start of the tournament and secured a place in the elimination round.
The Swedes lead the group with nine points. Germany, which was not in action on Sunday, is second with six points.
Sweden and Germany are due to face each other on Monday.
Sara Hjalmarsson collected a goal and an assist for the winners. Ebba Hedqvist, Hilda Svensson and Thea Johansson also scored while Emma Soderberg made 16 saves.
Hara Toko and Makoto Ito responded for the Japanese in the second period.
Riko Kawaguchi stopped 37 pucks for Japan, which was eliminated heading into the playoff round.
In another Group B match, Frederikke Foss and Nicolne Jensen scored in a shootout and goalie Emma-Sofie Nordstrom blocked all three shots she faced as Denmark defeated China 2-1.
Denmark (0-1-0-2) took a 1-0 lead with 92 seconds left in the second period thanks to Amanda Refsgaard’s first goal of the tournament.
China (0-1-1-1) tied the score with 1:51 remaining in the third period on a goal by Minghui Kong.