The best team in Group B is officially unanimous.
With a convincing 4-0 win over Japan on Tuesday, Sweden finished the preliminary round at the Winter Olympics unbeaten for the first time in the country’s history.
While Japan desperately needed a win to stay in contention for third place, it was Sweden who made sure there was no upset. Hanna Thuvik scored her second goal in as many games to put her team on the board, but thanks to goaltender Riko Kawaguchi, Japan only trailed by one after 20 minutes.
That changed in the middle stanza, as Damkronoma put the pressure on Japan’s defense, scoring a pair to extend the lead. Japan simply ran out of gas in the third, as a power-play goal from Hanna Olsson was the icing on the cake after an impressive opening round for Sweden.
Josefin Bouveng and Mira Hallin also scored in the win, with Hallin potting her first goal at the Winter Games.
However, the win wasn’t without casualties for Sweden. Ohio State star Hilda Svensson took an awkward fall early in the game, and ended up playing just 92 seconds before exiting due to injury. Lisa Johansson was hurt after being cross-checked up high by Japan defender Kanamai Seki. Johansson would later return to the game, posting three shots on goal in 11:47 of ice time.
Sweden outshot Japan 31-20. Kawaguchi stopped 22 of the 26 shots she faced. Wesleyan University product Rei Halloran made five saves in the final few minutes of the game.
The Swedes went 1-for-3 on the power play, while Japan went 0-for-2.
With Sweden (4-0-0) finishing first in Group B, they will take on the third-place team from Group A. With Canada and Finland still having to play on Thursday, the Swedes’ opponent won’t be decided until later in the week.
Japan (1-0-3) misses out on the quarterfinals for the fourth time in five Olympic appearances.
Sweden
Josefin Bouveng, F
Definitely the University of Minnesota product’s best game of the tournament so far. Bouveng is part of an exciting youth movement with the Damkronoma program and has the potential to be a key offensive threat in the knockout stage. She extended Sweden’s lead early in the second period, and added an assist on Hallin’s goal late in the frame. It could be the confidence boost she needs to be effective in the quarterfinals.
Ebba Svensson Träff, G
I don’t think we’ve given Svensson Träff enough credit so far in the tournament. The surprise starter over the experienced Emma Söderberg, the Linköping HC backstop has been solid so far in the tournament. She posted her first Olympic shutout on Tuesday, turning away all 20 shots she faced. While the game became one-sided, Svensson Träff made some nice saves in the first period to keep her team out in front.
Maja Nylén Persson, D
Nylén Persson’s offensive game has been relatively quiet so far in Milan, but the former Borje Salming Award winner came up with a couple of points against Japan, picking up assists on Hallin and Olsson’s goals. The veteran’s role at these Olympics is focused on keeping the opponent’s top scoring threats at bay, which she has done efficiently so far. On Tuesday, Nylén Persson led Sweden with 22:32 of ice time.
Japan
Yumeka Wajima, F
It was a tough tournament for Japan, scoring just seven goals in the group stage. Yet, a player who was key to their success in Olympic qualification and was a prevalent weapon this year was Wajima. She might’ve only scored one goal for her team in Milan, but she was heavily involved in the team’s offense, especially on Tuesday. Wajima led the team with four shots on goal in 15:12 of ice time.
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