Day 2: Big Upsets, Big Dreams

The Milano-Cortina Games continued with two matchups on the slate. 

Starting the day was France taking on Japan. France started the tournament on a rough note taking a 4-1 loss to Italy in the international border battle, that made history for Italy’s hockey team as their first win at the Olympics. They entered the matchup hoping to bounce back and give themselves the best shot at advancing to the quarterfinals, however, Japan was looking to start their tournament on a high as they played their first game of the 2026 Games. 

It was a pretty even matchup between the two nations, the first period saw the goaltenders stand strong not allowing a single goal on either end. In the final 2 minutes of the second period, Japan found their first of the tournament to take the first lead of the game, but it wouldn’t take France long to answer, finding the back of the net in the dying seconds. In the third the scoring opened back up in the final four minutes taking back the lead, with France pulling their goaltender not long after, hoping to spark something on offence, but it was Japan that capitalized on the empty net taking a 3-1 lead with just over 2 minutes remaining. Japan then took a holding penalty giving France the advantage, who again pulled their goalie, France was able to find another but it wouldn’t be enough to overcome the 3-1 deficit. 

Japan continues their tournament tomorrow as they take on Germany, who is looking to bounce back from their loss in the opening game. Both teams are looking to climb the Group B ranks to lock up a quarterfinal spot on their hunt for a medal. In the matchup look out for Akane Shiga from Japan, who is known for her powerful shot referred to by teammates as the “Shiga Shot.” On the other end look out for Nina Jobst-Smith who currently plays for the Vancouver Goldeneyes, in the opening game she scored Germany’s lone goal, her two-way play is dangerous. At the 2025 World’s she was 1 of just 2 German players to score more than 1 goal, while leading the team in ice time. 

Closing out the day was Czechia vs Switzerland. The Czech’s were heavily favored in the matchup and looked like they were running away with the game taking a 3-1 lead at the beginning of the third period. The PWHL’s first overall pick, Kristýna Kaltounková, opened the scoring for her first Olympic goal early in the first. The Swiss were able to find an answer to even the game before Natálie Mlýnková from the Montreal Victoire found her way to the back of the net, giving the Czech’s a 2-1 lead entering the third after a scoreless second period. 

Starting off the scoring in the third period was Tereza Plosová from the University of Minnesota, extending the lead to 3-1. Before Alina Müller from the Boston Fleet rallied for Switzerland closing the gap to 1, before assisting on the tying goal, that sent the game to overtime. Both teams fought hard in the 5 minute 3-on-3 overtime, but neither side was able to capitalize, sending it to a shootout. 

In the five round shootout Switzerland looked like they were running away with it scoring their first three, but Czechia rallied to extend the shootout, the teams went back and forth before Switzerland closed it out in the 8th round to take the win 4-3. 

Czechia didn’t get the start they wanted falling in their first two matchups against the USA and Switzerland, they will look to rally for their matchup against Finland this Sunday. For the Czech’s watch out for Klára Hymlárová from the Minnesota Frost, who got the assist on the opening goal, and a shootout goal. She is known to be a well-rounded player contributing on both ends of the ice. On the Finland side look out for Susanna Tapani from the Boston Fleet, known for her speed and scoring ability, she could be a difference maker as the Fin’s push for gold. 

While Switzerland returns to action tomorrow against Canada who will be making their first appearance in the tournament after their first matchup was postponed. Switzerland looks to carry this momentum forward, be sure to watch out for Alina Müller who rallied the Swiss team in their comeback. On the other end watch out for Sophie Jaques, from the Vancouver Goldeneyes, she is a two-way threat that is known to fire from the blue-line, she currently co-leads the Goldeneyes in goals.