Tampere (Finland): The United States of America (USA) became the first team to qualify for the semifinals at the 2024 Euro Women’s Hockey Tour on Thursday, thanks to a 6-2 win over Switzerland. Team USA moved to 2-0 and clinched first place in Group A of the six-team tournament.
Abbey Murphy was once again a force for the winners, with a goal and an assist that gives her five points in two games. Cassandra Hall, Sloane Matthews, Tessa Janecke, Casey O’Brien and Ella Huber also scored for the Americans, with Amanda Thiele getting the win in goal. The game was tied 1-1 after the first period but Team USA took over with three second-period goals and led 4-1 heading into the final frame.
Nicole Vallario and Lena Marie Lutz scored for the Swiss, who will now prepare for a huge game against host Finland on Friday. With both the Swiss and Finns at 0-1, the winner of Friday’s tilt will move on to Saturday’s semifinals, while the loser will play in the fifth-place game.
The event in Finland is the third of four events on the Women’s Euro Hockey Tour for 2024-25. Czechia won the first event in August, held in Kloten, Switzerland, when it won two games and lost one in overtime for seven total points, one more than second-place Sweden.
Canada beat Czechia (3-0): In the other game on Thursday, Canada outshot Czechia 40-17 en route to a comfortable victory. Hannah Murphy stopped all 17 shots she faced for the shutout.
Anne Cherkowski scored the lone goal of the first period and then Canada got insurance markers from Sarah Paul and Maya Labad in the second. With the win, Canada concluded its round-robin with a 2-0 record and, like the United States, has clinched a spot in Saturday’s semifinals.
“It felt great (to get the shutout),” said Murphy. “It was an awesome team win for us and to kill some big penalties in the third period was a really good momentum boost for our team. We keep getting better every period; it is really awesome playing behind such talented athletes. If we keep doing what we are doing, we will continue building throughout the tournament.”
Czechia will face Sweden on Friday, with the winner moving onto the semis and the loser having to play in the consolation game. (Thanks to Chris Jurewicz).
