(Herning, Denmark) Canada wore down a tenacious goaltender and took another step towards defending its title at the World Women’s Hockey Championship.
Posted at 5:13 p.m.
Updated at 7:39 p.m.
Sarah Potomak scored a spectacular goal and set up Erin Ambrose’s net as Canada advanced to the semifinals on Thursday with a 3-0 win over Sweden.
Veteran defenseman Jocelyne Larocque also scored for the Maple Leaf, which will face Switzerland on Saturday.
The medal games are on Sunday.
Ann-Renée Desbiens was perfect in front of nine shots. Emma Soderberg of the University of Minnesota in Duluth made 54 saves for Sweden.
“It was a test for our patience, but also for our discipline,” admitted Canadian assistant captain Blayre Turnbull. It’s very easy in these kinds of matches to play individually, try to solve the problem on your own and deviate from the game plan.
“I am very proud of our group. We didn’t deviate from the game plan even if we didn’t have the attacking success that we wanted to have. »
Without captain Lara Stalder and top scorer Alina Mueller due to COVID-19, Switzerland beat Japan 2-1 after a shootout.
The Czech, coached by former Canadian defender Carla MacLeod, reached the semi-finals with a 2-1 victory over Finland in extra time.
The Czechs will face the United States, who crushed Hungary 12-1.
Author of a goal and an assist, American Hilary Knight reached 87 career points at the World Championship, breaking the record of Hayley Wickenheiser of Canada.
Canada and Sweden faced off at the world championships for the first time since 2009, although the Canadians beat the Swedes 11-0 in the Olympic quarterfinals in February.
Canada generated sustained pressure for long periods in the first and second periods, but Soderberg managed to limit the Canadian cushion to 2-0 after 40 minutes.
“She is an exceptional goalkeeper. She moves very well, noted Larocque. She made some big saves. It was a test for us to continue to apply the game plan and execute the details well. I believe that is fine. We had to play great hockey and kept putting pressure on them. »
“We’re going to be able to take advantage of, I would say, the second half of the game for our semi-final. »
Ambrose fired a point shot over Soderberg’s shoulder at 13:10 into the third period.
Potomak scored at even strength. She won possession of the disc, pulled away from Maja Persson Nylen and scored with a fake at 13:56 into the second period.
Defender Larocque scored her first goal in a world championship context, she who is in her 10e presence at the event.
Outshot 14-1 in the first period, the Swedes held Canada scoreless until 17:11. Renata Fast delivered to Larocque, who lodged the puck high in the net.