Finland routs Germany, advances to fifth-place game at Women's Worlds

BRAMPTON, Ont. — After a slow start, Finland found its speed and offence to flatten Germany 8-2 on Friday at the women's world hockey championship at the CCA Centre.

With the victory, Finland advances to the tournament's fifth-place game, where it will face Sweden, which defeated Japan 1-0 in Friday's late game.

Defending champion Canada plays Switzerland and the United States face Czechia in Saturday's semifinals.

Petra Nieminen scored three goals and added an assist for Finland, while Jenniina Nylund, Julia Liikala, Jenni Hiirikoski, Emilia Vesa and Nelli Laitinen netted singles. Finland and Germany were tied 1-1 after the first period, but Finland led 4-2 heading into the third.

Sonja Weidenfelder and Theresa Wagner scored for Germany, which was outshot 41-22.

Finland lost 2-1 to Czechia in Thursday's quarterfinals, while Germany dropped a 3-0 decision to the United States.

Josefin Bouveng scored a first-period goal for Sweden and that was all the offence needed to beat Japan. Emma Soderberg made 18 saves to post the shutout.

Sweden came within an overtime goal of knocking off Canada in Thursday's quarterfinals, while Japan lost 5-1 to Switzerland.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 14, 2023.