Women’s hockey off to fun start in Italy

Through two days and five games at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Montreal Victoire players and staff have made their impact felt in Italy.

Sweden 4, Germany 1 (Group B)

Montreal Victoire forward Lina Ljungblom scored Sweden’s first two goals, including the game-winner as Sweden won their opener and solidified their status as favourites in Group B.

Ljungblom has had a tough couple of years. She came into the PWHL with high expectations, but had just three goals and three assists in 29 games. Then, this season, a bout of mono kept her out most of the season, to the point where she found it hard to move for two months. She missed all of training camp and has played six games while getting into game shape.

With two goals in her Olympic opener, it gives a person known for her goal scoring the confidence goal scorers crave.

“I haven’t been that player in a long time, I think,” she said to Swedish TV after the game. “It’s tough over there in the PWHL. Just being the player I’ve been before, that I feel it today, means a lot.”

Victoire backup goaltender Sandra Abstreiter made 33 saves in the losing effort for Germany.

Italy 4, France 1 (Group B)

Italy was not showing up to the women’s hockey tournament simply happy to be there. They have every intention in getting to the quarterfinals with the home crowd on their side. Their opener against France showed they should not be taken lightly.

France scored the opener, but Italy answered back with four unanswered goals including one from former Canadiennes forward Kayla Tutino, who came out of retirement to represent Italy.

Former Canadian Olympian Laura Fortino, who moved to Italy to be able to represent her family’s country, was a +3 and led all Italian defenders with 22:44 time on ice.

Italy will be in tough against Sweden, but their performance against France showed that Danièle Sauvageau, the team’s general manager, has built a program that is there for success – and has a lot of Montreal ties. The team centralized in the city, playing against university teams to prepare for the Olympics.

United States 5, Czechia 1 (Group A)

Victoire forward Hayley Scamurra is on Team USA as a defensive specialist, who will play the 13th forward role. What she did in the United States’ opener was therefore unexpected. Despite playing under seven minutes, she scored twice in the win.

Any offence Scamurra provides is a bonus, and she will likely play a shutdown role in games against Canada.

This was a statement game for the United States, who enter this tournament as the likely favourites against a Czech team that has admitted they are tired of everyone assuming the gold medal game will be between Canada and the US. There’s still a long way to go, but this American team looks full value so far.

Japan 3, France 2 (Group B)

The first game on Friday was a good one. Both teams would have needed this game to have a chance to finish in the top three of Group B and earn a quarterfinal spot. The game was tight late, until Japan got two quick goals 1:20 apart in the third period, giving them a 3-1 lead with only 2:10 remaining in regulation.

France got one goal back with 11.5 seconds remaining on the power play with the extra attacker, but that was as close as they came. France now basically has to beat Sweden and Germany in regulation, and even that may not be enough to qualify.

Switzerland 4, Czechia 3 [SO] (Group A)

Czechia has been the team on the rise in recent years, but Switzerland was primed to prove they are still a team to be reckoned with in Group A. Czechia took leads of 1-0, 2-1, and 3-1 but Switzerland fought back to force overtime and then a shootout to earn a huge two points.

Alina Müller had two points for the Swiss, and it may have been the coming out party for Swiss forward Ivana Wey, who just turned 20 two days ago and scored the shootout winner.

Montreal Victoire forward Natálie Mlýnková continued her strong play. After an assist in the loss to the United States on their only goal, she scored a big goal to make the score 2-1 in this one, and has been one of the best players on the ice.

Before the tournament, I had thought that it would be great for the Victoire to have Ljungblom and Mlýnková get some offensive confidence at the Olympics to bring back with them for the rest of the PWHL season, and the first two days couldn’t have gone any better in that regard.

Through two days, 10 players have two points at the Olympics, and three of them (Ljungblom, Scamurra, and Mlýnková) play for Montreal.

Up Next

Saturday is a big day with four games. Japan and Germany play a big game in the Group B fight, followed by Sweden and Italy in a game that could decide the Group. That is followed by two big Group A games, USA facing Finland after a norovirus outbreak postponed Finland’s game against Canada, while Switzerland faces Canada.