MILAN — Host nation Italy secured a spot within the quarterfinals of the Olympic ladies’s hockey event for the primary time by beating Japan 3-2 on Monday.
Italy improved to 2-1, with one recreation left in opposition to Germany, and is assured one of many three quarterfinal spots in Group B, the place the 5 lower-ranked groups play.
“I feel that is everyone’s dream coming true,” Italy’s Canada-born goalie Gabriella Durante mentioned. “Hopefully this simply grows hockey in Italia that rather more for little ladies everywhere in the nation.”
Matilde Fantin scored the primary two objectives, giving Italy a 2-0 lead after the primary interval.
After Rui Ukita scored for Japan within the second interval, Italy responded with Kristin Della Rovere scoring within the third. Akane Shiga’s purpose within the third interval, confirmed after a prolonged video overview to test the puck had crossed the road, saved the stress on Italy.
Italy’s gamers poured off the bench on the buzzer to hug Durante, who made 27 saves.
“We had so many individuals blocking photographs and dumping pucks in, simply laborious work that hurts the physique,” she mentioned. “All people’s keen to sacrifice for the household and it’s actually an incredible feeling to win like that.”
Italy is making simply its second Olympic look — each because the host group — and misplaced all 4 outings on the 2006 Turin Video games, ending final among the many eight-team area.
Later Monday, the USA seeks its third win in opposition to Switzerland and Canada goals to enhance to 2-0 in opposition to Czechia. Germany performs France.
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