The first-ever IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia Championship concluded with Japan securing the title after a dominant 5-0 victory against the Chinese mainland on Sunday at Beijing's Shougang Ice Hockey Arena.
From the kickoff, Japan demonstrated their prowess on the ice, launching 23 shots in the first period and quickly establishing an early lead. The Chinese mainland tightened their defense in the second period, successfully limiting Japan's scoring opportunities. However, despite their efforts, they couldn't bridge the gap.
In the final period, the Chinese mainland intensified their push to equalize, but a series of errors led to Japan capitalizing on the opportunities, scoring four additional goals to seal the championship. Earlier in the day, Kazakhstan clinched third place by edging out South Korea 5-4 in a penalty shootout.
The tournament featured fierce competition among China, Japan, South Korea, and Kazakhstan, unfolding in a round-robin format over three days. Enthusiasts can look forward to the next edition of the championship, which will be hosted by Kazakhstan in 2025.
Reference(s):
Japan win inaugural IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia Championship
cgtn.com
