Sunday6.4.2014
France
0
Czech Republic
3
A • Details
Norway
6
Slovakia
3
A • Details
Austria
4
Denmark
5p
A • Details
Monday7.4.2014
Slovakia
1
France
3
A • Details
Denmark
1
Norway
5
A • Details
Czech Republic
2
Austria
1
A • Details
Wednesday9.4.2014
France
7
Austria
2
A • Details
Denmark
5
Slovakia
3
A • Details
Czech Republic
2
Norway
0
A • Details
Thursday10.4.2014
Denmark
5
France
1
A • Details
Austria
5
Norway
2
A • Details
Slovakia
1
Czech Republic
3
A • Details
Saturday12.4.2014
Slovakia
3
Austria
4sn
A • Details
Norway
4
France
1
A • Details
Czech Republic
5
Denmark
1
A • Details
 
14.04.2014 | Richard Wagner

Tournament summary: Czech quest to the elite group doesn’t end yet

From last Sunday to this Saturday, the 2014 IIHF Women’s World Championship took place in Prerov. This tournament consisted of 15 games, many of them very exciting and entertaining for the fantastic crowds that came to watch at Meo Arena. As you probably know, the Czechs fulfilled their role as pre-tournament favourites. The team coached by Jiri Vozak beat all five opponents and won this championship, and now must face Japan in a best-of-three series to determine who will play in the championship division next year.

 
 
 

Game by game

  • Day 1
Everything started with the opening ceremony. After that, the Czech Republic and France measured their forces. The fans waited almost two periods for the first goal. It came in 40th minute when Aneta Tejralova, captain of the Czech U18 team, scored. In last period, two perfect Czech shots gave them a 3-0 victory. Norway was in full control of the second game against Slovakia. Despite of three Slovakian goals near the end, the team headed by Arne Billkvam protected its lead with a cool head. This success was arranged by Andrea Dalen and Ingvild Farstad. Both scored twice. The evening game brought fantastic moments. Austria were leading after 2-0 after two periods, but Denmark scored twice and tied the score, starting a parade of goals. The team from Central Europe twice rebounded, but the Danes managed to equalise with 30 seconds left and, in overtime, Josefine Persson with her fourth goal in the game scored the winner.

  • Day 2
Monday’s schedule was opened by Slovakia and France. The Slovaks led 1-0 thanks to Maria Herichova’s goal, but the Division 1-A newcomers, Team France, scored twice in the second period to take the lead. The Slovaks tried to tie the score, but Carolie Baldin stopped every shot and in the 60th minute, Marion Allemoz hit the empty net. The second game - a Nordic derby - was controlled by Team Norway. The Norwegians scored three goals in first half of the opening period and, by the end, had a comfortable 5-1 win. The closing game was a tough battle between two teams from Central Europe. The teams traded goals in the first two periods, and the game wasn´t decided until the 57th minute. The Czech captain, Alena Polenska, scored the winning goal for her team, and the Austrians suffered heartbreak for the second straight day.

  • Day 3
After a day off, the tournament continued with three games o Wednesday. The first one was a big surprise, as France destroyed Austria 7-2 with goals from seven different players. Then it seemed that the Danish were bound for an equally easy victory, before a fantastic plot twist. Team Denmark was leading 5-0, but the Slovaks scored three straight goals to come within two goals by the start of the third period. The stage was set for a dramatic third period, but the Danes settled down and played solid defence to protect their 5-3 victory. The day culminated with the Czech Republic and Norway, facing a game that many people predicted would decide the gold medal. Both teams had two victories and wanted to finish the day in first place. It was a technically well-played, disciplined game, with only two goals scored, both by the Czechs. This result set the stage for the tournament to be decided in Thursday´s late game between the Czech Republic and Slovakia, both the winner and the team to be relegated.

  • Day 4
The penultimate gameday opened between France and Denmark. Those who expected a close game were satisfied only for two periods. In last part of game, a Danish tornado destroyed the French and won 5-1. In the second game, between Norway and Austria, everyone expected that a Norwegian victory would grant them the silver medal. When they scored the first goal, all seemed to be going as scheduled. But then, a Norwegian cyclone named Eva Maria Beiter Schwarzler scored twice and Austria ultimately grabbed a 5-2 victory. The big Czecho-Slovakian "federal derby" closed Thursday’s program. The Slovaks maintained their chance to remain in Division 1 A for a long time, but two goals in the third period decided that the Czechs would win and Slovakians would have to leave Group A.

  • Day 5
The last day was full of emotions. It all started when the Austrians erased a 3-1 deficit in the third period and won against Slovakia in a shootout. The only player to score was Beiter Schwarzler, giving the bonus point to Austria. The only Austrian chance now to reach better than fifth place was if Norway lost to France. That did not happen, however, as Norway won 5-1 and jumped over Denmark into second position. The Danes still had a chance to take the spot back, but to do it, they had to win against the Czech Republic. And they actually had a chance to do it, leading 1-0 after the second period. Their dreams came to an end in the third period, though, when the Czechs scored five unanswered goals to end the tournament unbeaten.

Final ranking:

1. Czech Republic - 15 points
2. Norway - 9
3. Denmark - 8
4. France - 6
5. Austria - 6
6. Slovakia - 1

Spectators

The atmosphere was great in Prerov. It was the first tournament in Division 1 A since 2001 which more than 10 000 people attended! It was a fantastic sight, with seats filled and everyone in national colours. But it’s not only because of the Czech fans. France also had great support from a large group of fans who cheered enthusiastically every time their team played. The Norwegians, Austrians and Danish all had good support too, with jerseys of these teams seen throughout the week. The number of Slovakian fans was a lower than expected, due to its proximity to Prerov. However, the ones that did come to the tournament showed great support for their players.

Best players of the tournament

Klara Peslarova was awarded as the best goalie in the whole championship. The 17-year-old was the biggest surprise of the winners. In her first Women’s World Championship, she played in four games and allowed only two goals. With 2 shutouts and a save percentage of more than 97 %, she led all goalkeepers in many statistical categories.

Silje Holös from Norway was named as the best defender. She recorded four assists and was one of the key Norwegian players. Holös was on the team´s top defensive pair, and had lots of ice time. She didn´t score any goals and had only one shot, but her primary assets to her team were fine defensive play and good passing.

Andrea Dalen, also from Norway, created with Indvild Farstad the best attacking duo of the whole championship. With seven goals, Dalen was the top scorer. The only game in which she didn’t score, against the Czechs, her team was shut out.

 
Short news
Best players of WWC
12.04.2014 - The Directorate of the 2014 IIHF Women’s World Championship has determined the best players of the whole tournament. As the best goalie was named Klara Peslarova from the Czech Republic, as the best defender was awarded Silje Holos from Norway. Her teammate, Andrea Dalen, was named as the best forward.
U-15 game today!
11.04.2014 - The Women’s World Championship has a day off, but Meo Aréna in Přerov will still be busy An international exhibition game in the women’s U15 category will be played between the Czech Republic and Hungary. The game starts at 18:15.
Official programs!
09.04.2014 - During the game between the Czech Republic and Norway, a kiosk with official programs will again be on display. You can buy one and get some very interesting tournament information.
New website launched
23.01.2014 - The official website of the IIHF Women´s World Chapmionship Dvision I, Group A has just been launched. The Tournament will take place in Prerov´s ice hockey arena between the 6th – 12th of April, 2014.
Tournament schedule
23.01.2014 - The games schedule was published on the official website of the upcoming Women´s World Championship Division 1, Group A.
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