Team USA Delivers Strong Performance Against Finland in Women's World Championship Opener

ČESKÉ BUDĚJOVICE, Czechia – The U.S. Women’s National Team started the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship on a high note, defeating Finland 7-1 at the Budvar Arena. This decisive win marks an encouraging start for Team USA in the preliminary round.

Dominant Performance

Head coach John Wroblewski expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “It’s always nice to get the opening win under our belts. We got scoring from all areas of the ice today. We’ll use this game as a foundation as we move through the tournament.”

The U.S. wasted no time finding the scoreboard. Just 2:44 into the game, forward Hayley Scamurra from Buffalo, New York, capitalized on a loose puck, slipping it past Finnish goaltender Sanni Ahola to give Team USA an early lead. Scamurra was instrumental throughout the match, scoring her second goal just two minutes later with a wrist shot from the blue line, increasing the U.S. advantage to 2-0. ### Scoring Spread Across the Team

The offensive surge continued when Kelly Pannek of Plymouth, Michigan, scored the third goal after receiving a pass from Abbey Murphy, lacing a shot over Ahola’s glove.

In the closing moments of the first period, goaltender Aerin Frankel from Chappaqua, New York, showcased her skills by denying Finland's two scoring attempts, maintaining the U.S. lead.

The second period saw further domination from Team USA. Just 55 seconds in, Lee Stecklein found the net after maneuvering deep into the zone, bringing the score to 4-0. Finland managed to break the shutout with a power-play goal by Petra Nieminen halfway through the period. However, Team USA quickly retaliated, with Hilary Knight scoring within 15 seconds, restoring the 5-1 lead.

Solid Defense and Quick Goals

The final frame featured two quick goals from Taylor Heise and Kelly Pannek, both scoring in a span of just 22 seconds, solidifying Team USA's lead at 7-1. Throughout the game, Frankel made a notable contribution by stopping 19 shots, ensuring a strong defensive effort.

Looking Ahead

Next, Team USA will face host country Czechia on Friday, April 11. The matchup is set to commence at 7 p.m. CET (1 p.m. ET), and hockey enthusiasts can catch the action live on the NHL Network.

Additional Notes

  • Hayley Scamurra was recognized as the U.S. Player of the Game.
  • Team USA outshot Finland 24-20.
  • The U.S. successfully converted on one penalty but missed another opportunity, while Finland scored one power-play goal on two attempts.
  • The sixth goal of the game marked the 800th all-time goal scored by the U.S. in Women's World Championship history.

With a solid opening performance, Team USA aims to build on this momentum as they progress through the tournament.