Canada Blanks Japan 9-0 at IIHF Women's World Championship
Canada secured a dominant 9-0 victory over Japan on Sunday in Herning, Denmark, improving its record to 2-0 in Group B.
Canada moved to a 2-0 record at the IIHF Women's World Championship on Sunday after securing a commanding 9-0 shutout victory against Japan in Herning, Denmark. Goaltender Eve Gascon stopped all 14 shots she faced to earn the shutout for the reigning silver medalists, who outshot their opponents 59-14 over the course of the contest.
The round-robin game saw the Canadian team open the scoring midway through the first half with a goal from 19-year-old defender Chloe Primerano. The offensive pressure continued to mount, allowing the squad to establish a 4-0 advantage heading into the third period.
Canada's offense exploded in the final frame, netting five goals to seal the rout. Erin Ambrose, Daryl Watts, and Kendall Cooper each contributed a goal and an assist. Additional scoring came from Rosalie Tremblay, Emma Maltais, Sophie Jaques, Sarah Wozniewicz, and Caitlin Kraemer.
Fifteen different Canadian players registered a point during the matchup, with several notching their first career points in a world championship. Co-captain Renata Fast praised the performance and the collective effort shown on the ice.
"I liked our team's efforts, and the way we stayed connected throughout the entire game," Renata Fast stated. "I think we did a really good job of focusing on the habits and details that we've been emphasizing for the last week and a half together, so it was really good to get rewarded for that."
Fast also highlighted the significance of the depth scoring. "It was good getting a bunch of goals and a bunch of players also getting their first national team goals and points," she added. "At the end of the day, we're always playing a team game, but it's always really nice to share a moment that they'll remember forever."
The comprehensive defeat leaves Japan winless in Group B with a 0-2 record, while Canada sits firmly at the top of the group standings. The tournament, running from November 6 to November 16, features elite international teams competing across Scandinavia.
Looking ahead in the schedule, the Canadian squad will continue its group stage campaign on Monday by facing tournament host Denmark, which holds a 0-1 record. Meanwhile, Japan prepares to face Finland in upcoming round-robin action.