2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship Roundup: Standouts from Day 2

Tyler Kuehl
Tyler Kuehl(TJKu29)
Apr 10, 2025, 15:59 EDT
IIHF Women's World Championship Logo 2025

The second day of action at the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship saw some tight battles and more stellar performances, as some teams are already closing in on quarterfinal berths.

The first game of the day saw two teams from Group B throw defense out the window, as Japan and Norway came out firing early, with the teams combining for four goals and 29 shots in the first period. However, Japan’s experience started to take over as the game wore on, pulling away in the late stages of the game to grab a 5-2 win. The Japanese had five different goal scorers in the victory – including Akane Shiga – with Makota Ito grabbing a couple of assists.

The most intriguing matchup of the day was the Group B clash between Hungary and Sweden. The Swedes, who were coming off a win against Germany on the tournament’s opening day, seemed to take Hungary for granted early on, as the Hungarians came very close on some early power-play opportunities. Yet, the Damkronorna’s Emma Söderberg stood tall in goal, and thanks to timely markers from Linnea Johnasson and Lina Ljungblom, Sweden was able to avoid the upset, winning 2-0, putting them on a path to the knockout stage.

Canada took advantage of a weary Finland team that was coming off a lopsided loss to the United States. Before fans got settled into their seats, Canada was out in front, thanks to goals from Jennifer Gardiner and Marie-Philip Poulin. After that, the Canadians cruised, and goaltender Kristen Campbell was exceptional in her first Women’s Worlds appearance, posting a 24-save shutout as Canada ran away with a 5-0 win.

Here were the best players in České Budějovice on Thursday:

Japan

Mei Miura, LW: That listed third line for Japan may as well have been tabbed its first or second line. The beneficiary of so many quality scoring chances was Mei Miura. She was a key contributor when Japan qualified for the 2026 Winter Olympics and stepped up again on Thursday. Along with assisting on Akane Hosoyamada’s goal in the first period, Miura scored what ended up being the game-winning goal early in the second.

Suzuka Maeda, C: One of the many players who solely compete for the Japanese National Team, Ito was placed on the top line between Mirua and Yumeka Wajima, and the three showed great chemistry, causing havoc and creating a lot of grade-A chances against the Norwegians. Maeda ended up assisting on three of her team’s goals, including both goals in the second period.

Norway

Ena Nystrøm, G: I mentioned in my preview that it was going to be tough sledding for Norway in their first appearance in the top division since 1997. Any success the Scandinavian country has in Czechia will be because of Nystrøm. The Brynäs IF netminder saw a lot of rubber against Japan, including facing 25 shots in the middle stanza. Nystrøm was credited with 52 saves in the losing effort but certainly gave her team a chance.

Andrea Dalen, RW: Along with Nystrøm making big saves, Norway briefly sent some doubt into the Japanese system thanks to Andrea Dalen rifling in the first goal of the game, giving the Norwegian fans some life early on.

Overall, Dalen had a pretty solid game. She led Norway in shots with seven and was one of three players with a positive plus/minus (+1) in the loss. Dalen was named Norway’s player of the game.

Sweden

Emma Soderberg, G: Söderberg didn’t have that busy of a game on Wednesday against the Germans, most likely the reason Ulf Lundberg went with her on the second half of a back-to-back – a wise choice. The Boston Fleet netminder came up with some clutch stops in the first period when Hungary was really humming. When they were looking for the tying goal in the third, Söderberg turned away all 11 shots she faced, resulting in a 24-save shutout, earning team player of the game honors.

Linnea Johansson, RW: The top line of Johansson, Hanna Thuvik and Sara Hjalmarsson were a force in game one against Germany. While they were creating chances on Thursday, Johansson took advantage of a great setup from Hilda Svensson late in the second period to score the game’s first goal.

Johansson also picked up an assist on Ljungblom’s insurance goal, which put the game out of reach. We’ll see if Lundberg keeps her with Svensson and Ljungblom moving forward because they were a fun trio to watch.

Hungary

Aniko Nemeth, G: In a game like the one Hungary was involved with, you know the goaltending was going to have to be stellar to have a chance to win. Nemeth was a huge reason why the Hungarians were even within striking distance against Sweden. A couple of bad breaks led to the two goals that snuck by her, but all in all, she was solid. The veteran stopped 22 of the 24 shots she faced and was named the team’s player of the game.

Fruzsina Mayer, D: Along with solid goaltending, the defense in front of her was exceptional as well, limiting Sweden’s top weapons for the most part. Mayer was a significant factor on the back end, leading all skaters in the game with 25:03 of ice time, though she was on the ice for one of Sweden’s goals. The HK Budapest blueliner performed well on the penalty kill, as Hungary didn’t allow the Swedes to score on either of their power-play opportunities.

Canada

Jennifer Gardiner, LW: For some, nerves can be a factor heading into their first-ever game at the world championship. Not for Jennifer Gardiner. The Montreal Victoire rookie was placed on a line with teammates Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey, and the trio was all over the place against the Finns. Gardiner was able to sneak a shot by Finland’s Emilia Kyrkko for her first goal at the Women’s Worlds.

Gardiner was credited with her second goal of the game early in the second period, leading to Kyrkko getting the hook. In less than nine minutes of ice time, Gardiner put four shots on goal, was a +3 and was named Canada’s player of the game.

Marie-Philip Poulin, C: As I said, Canada’s top line went to work, staying on top of Finland for most of the game. Poulin was the orchestrator of a line that accounted for eight of the team’s 35 shots on Thursday. Along with assisting on Gardiner’s first goal of the game, Captain Canada found the back of the net herself late in the opening frame.

With Troy Ryan rolling through the lines in favor of keeping everyone as rested as can be in the first half of a back-to-back, Poulin played just 10:22. Yet, the impact she and her line made in the first period set the tone for what was a great game by Team Canada.

Finland

Ronja Savolainen, D: It wasn’t an easy night for Finland, as they were collecting themselves after letting things unravel against the Americans. Savolainen took a lot of the brunt of the Canadian attack, as did Sanni Rantala and Nelli Laitinen. The Ottawa Charge defender skated 12:29 of ice time, and was a -1. Savolainen received team player of the game honors.

Coming up…

On Friday, Hungary will look for a better result against Japan (5 a.m. ET), while Canada is back in action against Switzerland (9 a.m. ET), who fell to Czechia on Wednesday. The hosts get ready for an anticipated matchup with the United States (1 p.m. ET).

All games are going to be broadcast on TSN1 and NHL Network.

MORE WOMEN’S HOCKEY

Read more women’s hockey stories on DFO

Keep scrolling for more content!