The two superpowers of women’s hockey asserted their dominance on the third day of the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship, with the big guns coming alive on Friday in Czechia.

The first game of the day saw pesky Hungary go up against Japan in Group B action. Just like they did against Sweden on Thursday, the Hungarians did everything they could to give Japan fits. Unfortunately, it didn’t lead to any goals for the European nation. They fell behind thanks to a late goal in the first period from Japan’s Yumeka Wajima.

Hungary had some quality chances throughout the game, but Miyuu Masuhara was stellar, as Japan picked up its second win of the tournament with a 2-0 win.

Hungary has been outscored 4-0 through its first two games.

The second game was notable as Canada netminder Ann-Renée Desbiens returned to action. It was the all-world goaltender’s first game since suffering a lower-body injury with Montreal Victoire almost a month ago. Yet, it didn’t seem like Desbiens had a lot of rust, as she was solid against Switzerland on Friday.

The Swiss pressed early, putting 12 shots on goal in the first period, but Desbiens stopped them all. Canada took control of the game in the second period. After Micah Zandee-Hart scored in the opening period, the Canadians scored thrice in the second period, and cruised to a 4-0 victory. Desbiens ended up with a solid 17-save shutout, her eighth in her Women’s Worlds career.

The main event was the matchup between host Czechia and the mighty United States. While the capacity crowd in Budvar Arena made things a little hostile, the experienced Americans handled the pressure admirably, hardly allowing the Czechs a sniff at the goal. Though Czech netminder Michael Hesova did all she could to keep things close, goals from Hilary Knight and Alex Carpenter in the third helped the U.S. pull away, winning 4-0.

With both teams undefeated, Canada and the United States get ready for a marquee matchup on Sunday, with the winner most likely finishing atop Group A.

Here were the top stars from Friday’s action:

Japan

Miyuu Masuhara, G: For a game that was just for almost two whole periods, Masuhara had to be sharp against Hungary, especially in the third period. The 5-foot-2 backstop was busy in the first period, facing 12 shots in the opening 20 minutes. When Hungary staged a final push, Masuhara was there, ending up with a 27-save shutout and was named the team’s player of the game. Things will undoubtedly get tougher for Masuhara, as she will be tasked with facing more prominent offenses in Germany and Sweden.

Akane Shiga, RW: Shiga was able to pot her second goal of the tournament against Hungary, and though it was an empty-net goal, it didn’t deter what was another standout performance from he former PWHL Ottawa member. Shiga’s been one of Japan’s offensive catalysts over the first two games, including leading the team with six shots on goal against Hungary, playing an impressive 24:40.

Hungary

Aniko Nemeth, G: Nemeth might not have earned player of the game honors like she did against Sweden, but her efforts were, once again, one of the main reasons Hungary was within striking distance. She only ended up making 19 saves in the loss on Friday, but she was busy in the second period, stopping all 11 shots she faced.

Canada

Laura Stacey, RW: The “Montreal Victoire Line” was humming again for Canada again on Friday, as Marie-Philip Poulin, Jennifer Gardiner and Laura Stacey were all over the ice. Stacey herself had a solid game, picking up an assist on Zandee-Hart’s goal to break the ice. Then, she finished off a great feed from her partner Poulin in the second period, hammering home her first of the tournament with authority.

Though she missed considerable time during the PWHL season due to injury, Stacey has scored big goals season in Montreal and her ability to be a game-changer is something Canada will need when they take on the U.S.

Daryl Watts, LW: Many have cried for years to get Daryl Watts on the Canadian National Team roster. Their requests were answered this year, and the 2018 Patty Kazmaier Award winner has proved her presence was long overdue. She’s been all over the ice in the games against Finland and Switzerland, creating numerous scoring chances. She was rewarded with her first goal at the Women’s Worlds, putting Canada up by four.

Playing on a line with Toronto Sceptres teammate Sarah Nurse and New York Sirens rookie Sarah Fillier has given Watts the opportunity to show off her skill set on the international stage.

Switzerland

Alina Muller, C: It was another tough afternoon for the Swiss, despite their strong push early on, they couldn’t sustain against the strong Canadian squad. Müller managed to stay involved in the action, as the Boston Fleet star created some scoring chances, while also trying to show she’s not intimidated by the stronger teams in the tournament. Müller accounted for three shots on goal, and a was a -1 while leader Swiss forwards with 20:56 of ice time.

USA

Abbey Murphy, LW: If Murphy declares, there is no doubt she will be the No. 1 pick in this year’s PWHL Draft. She’s such a force on the ice, in all aspects of the game. From her exceptional scoring touch to her physical dominance, when No. 37 is on the ice, you have to be ready. Murphy was able to take advantage of a couple of opportunities early in the contest, including hammering home her first of the tournament in the first period, quieting the Czech fans.

Murphy ended up scoring another goal in the second period, earning player of the game honors. Though she’s not on the top line, Murphy is, by far, one of the most dangerous players on the roster.

Megan Keller, D: Another key asset to the Americans’ success over the years has been Megan Keller. The Farmington, Michigan native is sizeable presence on the back end, and showed she can get it done at both ends of the rink on Friday. She assisted on one of Murphy’s tallies, picking up helpers on Knight and Carpenter’s goals to help put the game on ice.

Keller is now a +3 through two games, finishing third among U.S. skaters with 19:23 of ice time against the Czechs.

Czechia

Michaela Hesova, G: Many scratched their heads at Carla MacLeod’s decision to go with Hesova instead of Klára Peslarová. However, the Dartmouth product did an outstanding job of keeping the Czechs in the game in her first start at the Women’s Worlds, even though they had no business staying close to the Americans. Michaela Hesová was under siege early and often, but had it not been for her efforts, the U.S. could’ve won by a lot more. Czechia was outshot 48-10, with the 19-year-old making 44 saves. She was unsurprisingly named the team’s player of the game.

Coming up…

Only two games are on the Saturday docket. Norway and Germany (9 a.m. ET) will search for their first wins of the tournament, while Czechia will try to bounce back against winless Finland (1 p.m. ET).

All games are going to be broadcast on TSN1 and NHL Network.

MORE WOMEN’S HOCKEY

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• Montreal Victoire activate Ann-Renee Desbiens from LTIR
• 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship Roundup: Standouts from Day 1
  2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship Preview, Predictions
• PWHL suspends Victoire’s Kati Tabin two games, Charge’s Zoe Boyd one game

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