Linemates Lara Stalder and Alina Muller both scored and set up each other’s goals in the second period to lead Switzerland to a 3-1 win over Japan tonight in Herning. It was the first game of the 2022 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship for the Swiss while Japan fell to 0-2. 

The teams had met seven times previously in Women’s Worlds competition, most recently during the relegation round in 2016, and the Swiss won every game.

It was the first win in Women's Worlds play for Swiss goalie Andrea Braendli, who came in with an 0-7 career record. Miyuu Masuhara, the Japanese goalie, was excellent, stopping 17 of 20 shots. The Swiss played penalty-free hockey while Japan incurred four minors, none resulting in a goal.

Japan now has a day off before facing Canada on Sunday, and the Swiss face those same Canadians tomorrow evening right back at KVIK Arena.

"It was our first game, so we were really excited coming in," said Swiss captain Stalder. "We had to be patient tonight. I thought we worked well and were the better team. In the second period it turned our way and we got the lead, which was good for us, to learn how to play with the lead. In the end, I'm pretty happy with the win."

It was clear from the outset that coach Yuji Iizkua got his players to skate with a little more determination than yesterday, when they were smoked 10-0 by the U.S. This was made easier, of course, because the Swiss, a terrific team, are still a notch below the Americans. Nonetheless, the Swiss had difficulty getting the puck on goal with some danger in the early going. In the opening period they had the only three power plays but the closest they came was a shot off the crossbar from Nicole Vallario.

Japan managed five shots in the period, one fewer than they had in the entire game yesterday. And yet still it felt like a matter of time before things started clicking for Switzerland.

The scoreless first provided the foundation for a much more entertaining second as the Japanese were buoyed by confidence and the Swiss by knowing they needed to kick it up a notch. Indeed, Japan had a great chance early to open the scoring. Makoto Ito set up Akane Shiga in the slot, but she failed to beat Braendli with the point-blank opportunity.

Although the Swiss failed to capitalize on another power play soon after, they opened the scoring nonetheless at 7:23. Muller got the puck in the slot and faked a shot, drawing Masuhara to her knees. Muller passed to the back side where Stalder blasted a one-timer into the open side.

"I had the puck in the middle, and I saw she was wide open. She told me afterwards she knew I was going to pass it," Muller said. "She has the best shot on our team, so whenever I can, I want to give her the puck."

The linemates exchanged the favours late in the period. This time Stalder got the puck behind the net and feathered a perfect pass onto Muller’s stick in the slot. She fired before Masuhara knew what had happened. Shiga had another great chance just before the buzzer, but Braendli made a fine pad save to keep it a 2-0 game.

The Japanese not only did not give up but were decidedly the better team in the third. They buzzed around Braendli, produced a few shots, and had their fans on their feet after Haruka Toko intercepted a puck and wired a shot off the post. It was their best period of the six they've played so far, and surely will give the team some confidence moving forward.

In the end, Lena Marie Lutz closed out the scoring for Switzerland with an empty netter with 2:05 remaining.  But despite the score being 3-0, Iizuka pulled Masuhara again after that, and Japan finally connected. Shiga snapped a high shot over the blocker of Braendli to spoil what would have been her first shutout.

Switzerland gets the win, but Japan gets props for a game well played and a mightiyl impressive recovery after yesterday's outing.