Czech Republic blanks Finland 2-0 to earn first win at Milano Cortina 2026 | CBC Sports activities – Worldwide Dispatch

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The Czech Republic earned their first Group A win by defeating Finland 2-0 within the Olympic ladies’s ice hockey event on Sunday, whereas Sweden secured a quarter-final place with a 4-0 win over France in Group B at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Enviornment.

Finland and the Czech Republic had troublesome begins to the 2026 Olympic Video games. The Czechs misplaced their opener 5-1 to the U.S. ​adopted by a 4-3 shootout loss to Switzerland.

Finland’s first match was postponed after 4 of their roster examined constructive for norovirus. They misplaced 5-0 to the U.S. on Saturday.

The Finns conceded twice within the opening interval on Sunday. Tereza Pištěková and Natálie Mlýnková have been on track for the Czechs who, not like in opposition to the Swiss, managed to carry onto their two-goal lead.

The Czechs went in entrance within the third minute, stealing the puck within the impartial zone earlier than Pištěková lifted her shot over the goalie.

Finland may have been in additional ​bother lower than a minute later with Susanna Tapani penalized for hooking, however they managed to kill the penalty

The Czechs have been then left short-handed twice in fast succession and the Finns peppered Klára Peslarová with pictures, however the goaltender held agency.

After failing to make ⁠two energy performs depend, Finland conceded once more close to the top of the opening interval. Mlýnková blasted the puck into the roof ‍of the web to double the Czech’s lead.

Peslarová made an important ⁠save to disclaim Michelle Karvinen on a Finnish breakaway early within the second interval. The Finns pulled their goalie within the last two minutes of the sport however have been unable to seek out the web.

The U.S. presently sit atop Group A with six factors after two video games, with the Czechs two factors behind in second. Champions Canada are on three factors after one recreation, adopted by Switzerland with two factors. The Finns have but to earn some extent.

All 5 sides will advance to the final eight, the place ⁠their seedings will depend upon the ultimate placings within the preliminary spherical.

Sweden sweeps previous France

The Swedes have a most 9 factors after three matches to steer Group B, following a 4-0 win over France on Sunday.

Germany, Japan and Italy are all on three after two video games. France are backside with out a level after three defeats.

The highest three will advance to the ‍final eight.

France shipped three objectives within the opening interval in opposition to Sweden, with Thea Johansson, Sara Hjalmarsson and Hanna Thuvik all on track. The Swedes added a fourth by way of Lisa Johansson at first of the second interval.

Thea Johansson opened the scoring within the fourth minute, forcing the puck house from Hilda Svensson’s cross into the crease for her fourth aim of those Olympics. She’s presently the highest scorer of the event.

France have been left short-handed when Margot ⁠Huot-Marchand was despatched to the penalty field for tripping. Hjalmarsson transformed a rebound shot to double Sweden’s lead. Thuvik added one other with a backhander off the crossbar.

Huot-Marchand was given one other ​penalty for an unlawful hit, with Sweden failing to make the facility play depend. However within the opening minute of the second interval, Lisa Johansson caught the ​puck between the legs of the French goalie for the fourth aim.

French ahead Lore Baudrit was penalized for roughing, which Sweden’s Nicole Corridor laughed off. However Corridor later ‍frolicked within the penalty field for a similar offence together with France’s Chloé Aurard-Bushee after they clashed behind the Swedish aim.

French followers in full voice

France greater than held their very own for the rest of the second ‍interval, resisting waves of Swedish assaults, whereas firing ⁠in seven pictures. Each foray past the Swedes’ blue line was roared on by the massive French contingent within the stands.

Sweden’s Mira Jungåker acquired a minor penalty for interference, shoving Clara Rozier to the ice, with the French followers booing when the replay was proven on the large display screen.

However France didn’t benefit from the later energy play and it was the Swedes celebrating within the area on the last buzzer. The gamers went to salute their supporters after the sport, beating their sticks on the ice.

Sweden play their last preliminary spherical match in opposition to Japan on Tuesday, with France going through Germany on Monday.

Sweden in search of first medal since 2006

Sweden has to this point performed to its excessive expectations by outscoring opponents by a mixed margin of 14-1. However the group has completed no higher than seventh on the previous two Olympics after ending fourth on the 2014 Sochi Video games.

The drop-off has been dramatic for the one nation apart from Canada and the U.S. to win an Olympic silver medal. The Swedes did so on the 2006 Turin Video games by upsetting the People within the semifinals. Sweden additionally received bronze in 2002.

“The time for us is now,” coach Ulf Lundberg declared earlier than the event opened. He primarily based that on what he referred to as a “we do not care” perspective his gamers have adopted.

“You’ve these kids coming in and so they’re not afraid of something. I find it irresistible,” Lundberg mentioned. “We need to be extra just like the Canadians and the People that really feel that we’re greatest, as a result of then you’ve got the grace and the swag.”

Sweden’s roster options eight gamers 22 and youthful, with seven presently competing at U.S. faculties. They embrace Svensson, who’s tied for seventh within the nation with 44 factors (15 objectives, 29 assists) in 26 video games.

“Everybody on this group desires to take that medal. And I believe everybody’s going to work very onerous for that,” Svensson mentioned after organising two objectives within the victory over France.