ESBJERG, Denmark (AP) — Germany blanked Austria 2-0 in its opening game at the women’s ice hockey world championship on Saturday.
Katarina Jobst-Smith broke the deadlock 7:34 into the second period in the Group A game in Esbjerg.
Austria, playing in the top division for the first time, pulled goalie Selma Luggin with 1:39 remaining in the final period before Jobst-Smith scored her second into an empty net.
The Austrians were beaten by the Czech Republic 4-1 in their opener on Friday.
Germany will face defending champion the United States on Sunday.
In Group B in Herning, Denmark came back from two goals down to beat Japan 3-2 after a penalty shootout.
Japan, playing its opening game, led 2-0 through goals from Umeka Odaira in the first period.
Nikita Bergmann reduced the deficit in the second and Teresa Christensen tied it at 2 with 2:56 to go to force overtime which didn’t decide the match.
Frederikke Foss scored the decider in the shootout for the host, which rebounded from a 4-1 defeat to Finland on Friday.
Japan will play Canada on Sunday.
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The Associated Press