Czech Republic blanks Finland 2-0 to earn first win at Milano Cortina 2026

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The Czech Republic earned their first Group A win by defeating Finland 2-0 within the Olympic girls's ice hockey event on Sunday, whereas Sweden secured a quarter-final place with a 4-0 win over France in Group B at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Area.

Finland and the Czech Republic had troublesome begins to the 2026 Olympic Video games. The Czechs misplaced their opener 5-1 to the U.S. adopted by a 4-3 shootout loss to Switzerland.

Finland's first match was postponed after 4 of their roster examined optimistic for norovirus. They misplaced 5-0 to the U.S. on Saturday.

The Finns conceded twice within the opening interval on Sunday. Tereza Pištěková and Natálie Mlýnková had been on track for the Czechs who, in contrast to in opposition to the Swiss, managed to carry onto their two-goal lead.

<img loading="lazy" alt="Czech hockey players celebrate a win." srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/2cdddeb3-1371-495c-a691-dad8b51f5766,1770593487199/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C134%2C4279%2C2553%29%3BResize%3D796 796w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/2cdddeb3-1371-495c-a691-dad8b51f5766,1770593487199/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C134%2C4279%2C2553%29%3BResize%3D1083 1083w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/2cdddeb3-1371-495c-a691-dad8b51f5766,1770593487199/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C134%2C4279%2C2553%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 762px) calc(100vw - 32px),730px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/2cdddeb3-1371-495c-a691-dad8b51f5766,1770593487199/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C134%2C4279%2C2553%29%3B" style="aspect-ratio:1.6760673717195456" data-cy="image-img"/> The Czech Republic's 2-0 win over Finland is their first victory on this yr's Olympics. (David W Cerny/Reuters) The Czechs went in entrance within the third minute, stealing the puck within the impartial zone earlier than Pištěková lifted her shot over the goalie.

Finland might have been in additional hassle lower than a minute later with Susanna Tapani penalized for hooking, however they managed to kill the penalty

The Czechs had been then left short-handed twice in fast succession and the Finns peppered Klára Peslarová with pictures, however the goaltender held agency.

After failing to make two energy performs rely, Finland conceded once more close to the top of the opening interval. Mlýnková blasted the puck into the roof of the web to double the Czech’s lead.

Peslarová made a terrific save to disclaim Michelle Karvinen on a Finnish breakaway early within the second interval. The Finns pulled their goalie within the last two minutes of the sport however had been unable to seek out the web.

<img loading="lazy" alt="A Czech hockey goalie makes a save against Finland." srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/06646163-148e-4636-a017-b8cbdfb2fba6,1770593639237/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C3171%2C2114%29%3BResize%3D796 796w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/06646163-148e-4636-a017-b8cbdfb2fba6,1770593639237/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C3171%2C2114%29%3BResize%3D1083 1083w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/06646163-148e-4636-a017-b8cbdfb2fba6,1770593639237/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C3171%2C2114%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 762px) calc(100vw - 32px),730px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/06646163-148e-4636-a017-b8cbdfb2fba6,1770593639237/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C3171%2C2114%29%3B" style="aspect-ratio:1.5" data-cy="image-img"/> Goaltender Klára Peslarová makes certainly one of her 25 saves throughout Sunday's Olympic girls's hockey sport between the Czech Republic and Finland. (Geoff Burke/Imagn Photographs through Reuters) The U.S. at the moment sit atop Group A with six factors after two video games, with the Czechs two factors behind in second. Champions Canada are on three factors after one sport, adopted by Switzerland with two factors. The Finns have but to earn some extent.

All 5 sides will advance to the final eight, the place their seedings will rely on the ultimate placings within the preliminary spherical.

Sweden sweeps previous France The Swedes have a most 9 factors after three matches to steer Group B, following a 4-0 win over France on Sunday.

Germany, Japan and Italy are all on three after two video games. France are backside with no level after three defeats.

The highest three will advance to the final eight.

France shipped three targets within the opening interval in opposition to Sweden, with Thea Johansson, Sara Hjalmarsson and Hanna Thuvik all on track. The Swedes added a fourth via Lisa Johansson initially of the second interval.

Thea Johansson opened the scoring within the fourth minute, forcing the puck dwelling from Hilda Svensson's go into the crease for her fourth purpose of those Olympics. She’s at the moment the highest scorer of the event.

<img loading="lazy" alt="A Swedish hockey player scores." srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/5846ac2e-02c2-4fe9-8cf1-7a37e8679182,1770593765589/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C5573%2C3716%29%3BResize%3D796 796w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/5846ac2e-02c2-4fe9-8cf1-7a37e8679182,1770593765589/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C5573%2C3716%29%3BResize%3D1083 1083w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/5846ac2e-02c2-4fe9-8cf1-7a37e8679182,1770593765589/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C5573%2C3716%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 762px) calc(100vw - 32px),730px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/5846ac2e-02c2-4fe9-8cf1-7a37e8679182,1770593765589/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C5573%2C3716%29%3B" style="aspect-ratio:1.4997308934337998" data-cy="image-img"/> Sweden's Thea Johansson, centre, scores her aspect's opening purpose in opposition to France throughout a preliminary spherical match in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 8. (Petr David Josek/The Related Press) France had been left short-handed when Margot Huot-Marchand was despatched to the penalty field for tripping. Hjalmarsson transformed a rebound shot to double Sweden's lead. Thuvik added one other with a backhander off the crossbar.

Huot-Marchand was given one other penalty for an unlawful hit, with Sweden failing to make the ability play rely. However within the opening minute of the second interval, Lisa Johansson caught the puck between the legs of the French goalie for the fourth purpose.

French ahead Lore Baudrit was penalized for roughing, which Sweden's Nicole Corridor laughed off. However Corridor later frolicked within the penalty field for a similar offence together with France's Chloé Aurard-Bushee after they clashed behind the Swedish purpose.

French followers in full voice France greater than held their very own for the rest of the second interval, resisting waves of Swedish assaults, whereas firing in seven pictures. Each foray past the Swedes' blue line was roared on by the massive French contingent within the stands.

Sweden's Mira Jungåker obtained a minor penalty for interference, shoving Clara Rozier to the ice, with the French followers booing when the replay was proven on the massive display screen.

However France did not benefit from the later energy play and it was the Swedes celebrating within the enviornment on the last buzzer. The gamers went to salute their supporters after the sport, beating their sticks on the ice.

<img loading="lazy" alt="Hockey players representing Sweden and France challenge each other." srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/27f2bf13-c495-440f-9064-eaa16f655a82,1770593953637/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C63%2C3041%2C1735%29%3BResize%3D796 796w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/27f2bf13-c495-440f-9064-eaa16f655a82,1770593953637/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C63%2C3041%2C1735%29%3BResize%3D1083 1083w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/27f2bf13-c495-440f-9064-eaa16f655a82,1770593953637/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C63%2C3041%2C1735%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 762px) calc(100vw - 32px),730px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/27f2bf13-c495-440f-9064-eaa16f655a82,1770593953637/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C63%2C3041%2C1735%29%3B" style="aspect-ratio:1.7527377521613834" data-cy="image-img"/> France's Estelle Duvin, proper, challenges Sweden's Anna Kjellbin throughout her nation's 4-0 loss on Feb. 8. (Petr David Josek/The Related Press) Sweden play their last preliminary spherical match in opposition to Japan on Tuesday, with France dealing with Germany on Monday.

Sweden searching for first medal since 2006 Sweden has up to now performed to its excessive expectations by outscoring opponents by a mixed margin of 14-1. However the crew has completed no higher than seventh on the previous two Olympics after ending fourth on the 2014 Sochi Video games.

The drop-off has been dramatic for the one nation aside from Canada and the U.S. to win an Olympic silver medal. The Swedes did so on the 2006 Turin Video games by upsetting the Individuals within the semifinals. Sweden additionally received bronze in 2002.

"The time for us is now," coach Ulf Lundberg declared earlier than the event opened. He primarily based that on what he referred to as a "we do not care" perspective his gamers have adopted.

"You've these children coming in and so they're not afraid of something. I adore it," Lundberg stated. "We need to be extra just like the Canadians and the Individuals that really feel that we're greatest, as a result of then you could have the grace and the swag."

<img loading="lazy" alt="Swedish hockey players celebrate a win." srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/56953b8d-6188-4762-82bd-96176dd3f714,1770594035244/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C146%2C5244%2C2837%29%3BResize%3D796 796w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/56953b8d-6188-4762-82bd-96176dd3f714,1770594035244/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C146%2C5244%2C2837%29%3BResize%3D1083 1083w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/56953b8d-6188-4762-82bd-96176dd3f714,1770594035244/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C146%2C5244%2C2837%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 762px) calc(100vw - 32px),730px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/56953b8d-6188-4762-82bd-96176dd3f714,1770594035244/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C146%2C5244%2C2837%29%3B" style="aspect-ratio:1.8484314416637293" data-cy="image-img"/> Sweden celebrates beating France on the 2026 Winter Olympics on Feb. 8. (Petr David Josek/The Related Press) Sweden's roster options eight gamers 22 and youthful, with seven at the moment competing at U.S. faculties. They embrace Svensson, who's tied for seventh within the nation with 44 factors (15 targets, 29 assists) in 26 video games.

“Everybody on this crew desires to take that medal. And I feel everybody's going to work very laborious for that,” Svensson stated after organising two targets within the victory over France.