Japan did what Japan is wont to do, and rode their patient but speedy style of play to a 2-0 win over Hungary on Friday in Czechia.
Hungary came out determined after suffering an opening game loss to Sweden on Thursday. They peppered the Japanese net with twelve shots in the opening frame, but could not beat netminder Miyuu Masuhara. Hungary dominated possession for large portions of the period, but it was Japan that struck first. With less than a minute remaining on the clock, Yumeka Wajima intercepted an ill-advised Hungarian D to D pass, and went in alone on goaltender Aniko Nemeth. Wajima coldly fired the puck between Nemeth’s pads and Japan went into the first intermission up 1-0.
For a second straight game, Hungary defended valiantly. The team blocked 28 shots against Sweden, and 24 against Japan. They have done an impressive job of gumming up the slot and letting Nemeth see the puck. All the defending in the world is for naught, however, if you never score. Hungary has yet to register a goal in this tournament, and needs to find a way to get the puck into the more dangerous areas of the ice.
Japan, meanwhile, is playing with a newfound confidence after a 2024 Women’s World Championship that saw them score only eight goals in five games. This year’s team can shoot, skate and win puck battles in the slot. They have moxie, on display when veteran Akane Shiga dances around the offensive zone, puck on her stick, and when Rui Ukita outmuscles all comers in the slot. True, Japan has as yet only played the two lowest-ranked teams in Group B, but they seem poised to give Germany, and perhaps even Sweden, a run for their money.
