Women’s ice hockey at Milano Cortina 2026 got underway early Thursday morning, as group stage play began ahead of the official opening ceremony. Sweden opened the tournament with a comfortable 4–1 win over Germany.
Vancouver Goldeneye Nina Jobst-Smith scored the first goal of the tournament to give Germany an early lead, but the Swedes responded just four minutes later, with Montréal Victoire forward Lina Ljungblom scoring the first of her two goals on the night. Ljungblom’s second tally, along with goals from Mira Jungåker and Thea Johansson, put the game out of reach as Sweden claimed its first win of the group stage.
Germany will look to bounce back early Saturday morning against Japan at 6:40 a.m. ET. Sweden follows with a matchup against fellow Group B Day 1 winner Italy at 8:40 a.m. ET.