After they secured a dramatic win over Sweden in their opening match yesterday, the Japanese side, who had only ever won two matches at this level before this tournament, proved it was not a fluke as they ousted a determined German outfit.

Yurie Adachi opened the scoring for her side early in the first period before Haruna Yoneyama wrapped up the victory when she slammed the puck home into an empty net as the Japanese side got revenge for their two losses to the Germans at Sochi 2014.

The result leaves Japan needing just a point from their final Group B match with Switzerland, and they will automatically qualify if Sweden suffer defeat at the hands of Germany.

In the other match in Group B, the host nation recovered from their opening day defeat to Japan as Erika Grahm, who bagged a hat-trick in that game, got on the scoresheet again to help her side to a 3-2 win over Switzerland.

The frenetic pace of the tournament to date continued as Grahm's shot slipped through the grasp of Swiss goalstopper Florence Schelling, before Emilia Andersson doubled their lead with a power play game in the dying embers of the first period.

Uden Johansson then put the contest out of Switzerland's reach with the crucial third, but a late double from Phoebe Stanz ensured a tense finish which the Swedes managed to successfully negotiate.

Olympic champions Canada returned to form with a comfortable 4-0 win over Russia ©Getty Images



Elsewhere, reigning Olympic champions Canada returned to form in style as they crushed Russia 4-0 in Group A.

Following a demoralising defeat to arch rivals and Olympic silver medallists United States yesterday, Canada set out with a point to prove and they banished all demons of their opening loss with a commanding performance.

Captain Marie-Philip Poulin and Courtney Birchard both finished the match with a goal and an assist to their name, while Caroline Ouellette and Laura Fortino also found the net.

Fresh from the excellent success over the Sochi 2014 gold medallists, the United States made it two from two as they hammered Finland 4-1 in the night match.

Star forward Hilary Knight bagged a two-goal salvo, while Kendall Coyne and Hannah Brandt also etched their names onto the scoresheet as the Americans launched wave after wave of attacks.

The Finnish side were without Michelle Karvinen, who finished joint top of the Olympic scoring charts, and in truth they lacked the firepower to cause the United States any real problems.

However, they did take a surprise lead thanks to Susanna Tapani's neat finish after good work from Riikka Valila, but the Americans levelled proceedings just 28 seconds later and from then on in, there was only going to be one winner.

The competition in Sweden resumes on Tuesday (March 31) when Russia and the United States clash, before Switzerland entertain Japan.

Canada will be hoping to build on their win when they take on Finland, and Germany face Sweden to round off the third day of action.

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