photo: © International Ice Hockey Federation
Three games, three shutouts at IIHF women’s tourney in Beijing
A youthful Japanese roster dominated the inaugural IIHF Women’s Asia Championship in Beijing, winning all three games without allowing a single goal.
The four-team tournament, which saw Korea and Kazakhstan join Japan and host nation China, is intended to develop hockey in Asia. The hope is that countries will enjoy more competitive action for men’s and women’s teams. After the inaugural women’s event at the weekend, the action moves to Kazakhstan this week for a men’s tournament in a similar format. There are already similar competitions scheduled for the next three seasons, with the Kazakhs due to host the women next time.
A youthful Japanese roster dominated the inaugural IIHF Women’s Asia Championship in Beijing, winning all three games without allowing a single goal.
The four-team tournament, which saw Korea and Kazakhstan join Japan and host nation China, is intended to develop hockey in Asia. The hope is that countries will enjoy more competitive action for men’s and women’s teams. After the inaugural women’s event at the weekend, the action moves to Kazakhstan this week for a men’s tournament in a similar format. There are already similar competitions scheduled for the next three seasons, with the Kazakhs due to host the women next time.
Japan’s experiment pays off
photo: © International Ice Hockey Federation
Prior to the tournament in Beijing, the Japan Ice Hockey Federation announced that it would send a roster of 20 candidates for the upcoming IIHF Ice Hockey Women's World Championship and the Olympic qualification tournaments in 2024-25. Just four of those players were born before 2000 and three – defenders Kohane Sato and Sarasa Kishibe, plus forward Ai Tada – were born in 2006. None of the country’s European-based players were available.
If Yuji Iizuka’s roster was experimental, the experiment worked in fine style. Game One brought a 12-0 demolition of Korea. Next, Kazakhstan fell 8-0 to Japan. Then, in the tournament showdown against China – which also enjoyed shutout wins over the Kazakhs and Koreans – Japan secured a 5-0 verdict.
The goaltending, shared almost 50/50 between established starter Riko Kawaguchi and Miyuu Masuhara, her understudy at the last Women's Worlds, was solid. But more impressive was a dominant defence that allowed just 19 shots on goal through three games.
Japan’s scoring was dominated by players with World Championship experience. Rui Ukita, a three-time Olympian and the most experienced player in Beijing, led the way with eight (4+4) points, one ahead of Sato (1+6) and forward Rio Noro (3+4). Noro was joined on the attack by twin sister Riri, who added a goal and an assist. Other familiar names made notable contributions, with five points apiece for Kanami Seki and Yoshino Enomoto.
If Yuji Iizuka’s roster was experimental, the experiment worked in fine style. Game One brought a 12-0 demolition of Korea. Next, Kazakhstan fell 8-0 to Japan. Then, in the tournament showdown against China – which also enjoyed shutout wins over the Kazakhs and Koreans – Japan secured a 5-0 verdict.
The goaltending, shared almost 50/50 between established starter Riko Kawaguchi and Miyuu Masuhara, her understudy at the last Women's Worlds, was solid. But more impressive was a dominant defence that allowed just 19 shots on goal through three games.
Japan’s scoring was dominated by players with World Championship experience. Rui Ukita, a three-time Olympian and the most experienced player in Beijing, led the way with eight (4+4) points, one ahead of Sato (1+6) and forward Rio Noro (3+4). Noro was joined on the attack by twin sister Riri, who added a goal and an assist. Other familiar names made notable contributions, with five points apiece for Kanami Seki and Yoshino Enomoto.
Runner-up China has reasons to be positive
photo: © International Ice Hockey Federation
The deciding game against China proved to be Japan’s biggest test. The host nation took 12 of the 19 total shots that the Japanese goalies faced during the tournament. The Chinese hung around bravely in the game until allowing four unanswered goals in the third period.
Chinese goaltender Yuqing Wang deserved great credit for a courageous display under pressure. In a first period that saw Japan outshoot the opposition 23-1, she allowed just one goal to Rio Noro at 14:55. Then came a goalless middle frame, with Wang stopping a further 13 shots. But when Marin Nagaoka, who made her World Championship debut for Japan last season, potted her second of the tournament to make it 2-0 at 2:28 of the third period, there was no way back. Further tallies from Ukita, Makoto Ito and Seki completed a convincing Japanese victory.
China had grounds for satisfaction as well. Last season saw the country launch its own pro women’s league, and this roster, for the first time, drew extensively from several club. rather than exclusively using players from KRS Shenzhen. Beijing was heavily represented, with 11 players. and there were two apiece from Hebei and Sichuan. They came together under experienced Finnish head coach Sami Haapanen, a multiple champion in his homeland.
Some of the new faces emerged among the scoring leaders. Beijing’s Mengying Zhang had 3 (2+1) points and was second in team scoring. Clubmate Biyang Zhang also scored two goals.
This homegrown roster was very different from the teams we saw in Chinese colours at the Beijing Olympics and the 2023 World Championship Division I Group A. It showed promise in its comfortable victories over Korea and Kazakhstan. That should breed confidence ahead of a return to Shenzhen for this year’s Division IA Group A tournament.
And, in another boost for chinese Women’s hockey, the weekend games against Korea and Japan attracted four-figure crowds to the Shougang Arena in Beijing. With the game still growing in the 2022 Olympic host city, those attendances offer a foundation for further development.
Chinese goaltender Yuqing Wang deserved great credit for a courageous display under pressure. In a first period that saw Japan outshoot the opposition 23-1, she allowed just one goal to Rio Noro at 14:55. Then came a goalless middle frame, with Wang stopping a further 13 shots. But when Marin Nagaoka, who made her World Championship debut for Japan last season, potted her second of the tournament to make it 2-0 at 2:28 of the third period, there was no way back. Further tallies from Ukita, Makoto Ito and Seki completed a convincing Japanese victory.
China had grounds for satisfaction as well. Last season saw the country launch its own pro women’s league, and this roster, for the first time, drew extensively from several club. rather than exclusively using players from KRS Shenzhen. Beijing was heavily represented, with 11 players. and there were two apiece from Hebei and Sichuan. They came together under experienced Finnish head coach Sami Haapanen, a multiple champion in his homeland.
Some of the new faces emerged among the scoring leaders. Beijing’s Mengying Zhang had 3 (2+1) points and was second in team scoring. Clubmate Biyang Zhang also scored two goals.
This homegrown roster was very different from the teams we saw in Chinese colours at the Beijing Olympics and the 2023 World Championship Division I Group A. It showed promise in its comfortable victories over Korea and Kazakhstan. That should breed confidence ahead of a return to Shenzhen for this year’s Division IA Group A tournament.
And, in another boost for chinese Women’s hockey, the weekend games against Korea and Japan attracted four-figure crowds to the Shougang Arena in Beijing. With the game still growing in the 2022 Olympic host city, those attendances offer a foundation for further development.
Kazakhstan claims bronze
photo: © International Ice Hockey Federation
Before Japan secured gold against China, there was an entertaining battle for third place between Kazakhstan and Korea. Neither team had managed a goal in their previous games, but on Sunday morning they produced a 4-4 tie before Kazakhstan took a shootout verdict.
The Kazakhs may have felt they should have won this in regulation, though. Dariya Moldabay’s goal in the 36th minute opened a 4-1 lead, but Korea battled back superbly. Jongah Park, a 2018 Olympian, got one back before the intermission, and third-period strikes from Soojin Han and Juyeon Park forced the game into overtime.
Kazakhstan finally clinched the win when Anastassiya Orazbayeva was the only player to score in the shootout. Goalie Arina Chshyokolova outwitted all six of the Korean players she faced.
The Kazakhs may have felt they should have won this in regulation, though. Dariya Moldabay’s goal in the 36th minute opened a 4-1 lead, but Korea battled back superbly. Jongah Park, a 2018 Olympian, got one back before the intermission, and third-period strikes from Soojin Han and Juyeon Park forced the game into overtime.
Kazakhstan finally clinched the win when Anastassiya Orazbayeva was the only player to score in the shootout. Goalie Arina Chshyokolova outwitted all six of the Korean players she faced.