Switzerland and the Czech Republic win the first game of the Women’s World Cup

Switzerland and the Czech Republic got off to winning starts at the women’s ice hockey world championship against opponents who fell back on Friday.

The Swiss beat Japan 3-1 in Herning and the Czechs beat Hungary 7-1 in Frederikshavn.

Japan were lashed by the United States 10-0 on Thursday, the opening day of the championship, when Hungary came from behind to beat Germany.

Japan were more focused on Friday, but Switzerland still looked closer to scoring a scoreless first half.

Linemates Lara Stalder and Alina Muller scored and set up each other’s goals in the second to assert Switzerland’s command, and Lena Marie Lutz added an empty net with 2:05 left in a third in which Japan was the best team.

Goalkeeper Miyuu Masuhara was excellent stopping 17 of 20 shots but was again drawn 3-0 down and Akane Shiga scored after missing a close range chance in the first.

The Czech Republic’s first world game under new coach Carla MacLeod, a two-time Olympic gold medalist for Canada, was one-sided and played almost entirely on the Hungarian side.

Klara Hymlarova scored the first goal after 62 seconds, followed by defender Daniela Pesjova just over a minute later.

Defender Tereza Radova and 16-year-old striker Adela Sapovalivova made it 4-0 before Hungary scored just before the end of the second period through Alexandra Huszak. Hungary were limited to seven shots.

The third period featured scores from Natalie Mlynkova, Sapovalivova’s second, and Agata Sarnovska.

Hungarian goalkeeper Aniko Nemeth faced well on 45 shots to make 38 saves.

Also on Saturday, the United States will face Finland, who will be without suspended Petra Nieminen, and Sweden will face Germany.