How to watch IIHF Women’s World Cup quarterfinals – USA vs. Hungary, Canada vs. Sweden and more | Channel, Stream, Preview
The top eight countries remain in this year’s IIHF Women’s World Hockey Championship. After an exciting group stage, the teams meet on Thursday to see who will make it to the semi-finals.
- Watch the Women’s World Championships on DirecTV Stream
SWITZERLAND vs. JAPANESE
- When: Thursday, September 1
- Where: KVIK Hockey Arena (Herning, Denmark)
- Time: 6 a.m. ET
- Channel: NHL Network
- Current: DirecTV Stream, FuboTV, Sling
The two teams that finished at the bottom of Group A meet with a trip to the final four. In their first meeting on Thursday, with the Swiss taking the lone win by defeating Japan, 3-1.
Switzerland didn’t have the best of times against the top teams in the group and ended up scoring just four goals in the tournament. Goalkeeper Andrea Braendli was under siege during the tournament, but has a chance to make amends in their quarter-final matchup, aided by her attacking stars Lara Stalder and Aline Muller.
Japan also had a tough time in their first tournament in the top group. Although they also scored a paltry four goals, they ended up allowing 31 goals, the most of any team in the preliminary round. If they are to have any chance of getting past the quarter-finals for the first time ever, they will need all hands on deck.
USA vs. HUNGARY
- When: Thursday, September 1
- Where: KVIK Hockey Arena (Herning, Denmark)
- Time: 10 a.m. ET
- Channel: NHL Network
- Current: DirecTV Stream, FuboTV, Sling
The USA was the most dominant team in the early stages of the tournament. They ended up scoring an incredible 30 goals in their first four games, led by Taylor Heise who had a breakout tournament and led the tournament with nine points. Amanda Kessel also had a great group game, scoring three goals and four assists. Hilary Knight also chipped in with five points and is now tied with Canadian hockey legend Hayley Wickenheiser for the most points in Women’s World Cup history (86) after scoring against Canada in the Group A final.
There is no doubt that Hungary face their toughest test ever. However, the country sees this tournament as a success. In just their second appearance at the women’s world, Hungary are in the quarter-finals for the first time. An early win against Germany and a penalty shootout loss against the heavily favored Swedes helped them finish third in Group B. Franciska Kiss-Simon was the team’s best player, scoring three goals.
- Watch the Women’s World Championships on DirecTV Stream
FINLAND vs. CZECH REPUBLIC
- When: Thursday, September 1
- Where: Iscenter Nord (Frederikshavn, Denmark)
- Time: 11:30 a.m. ET
- Channel: NHL Network
- Current: DirecTV Stream, FuboTV, Sling
Finland finished the preliminary round just as everyone expected. Despite losing heavily to both Canada and the USA, the Finns were able to pull out convincing wins over Japan and Switzerland to take third place in Group A. Viivi Vainikka and Nelli Laitinen both stepped in, averaging a point per game in the group stage. . Finland hopes to advance to the semifinals for the 21st time, as they, Canada and the United States are the only countries to reach the final four in each tournament.
This might be the best team from the Czech Republic to ever play in the women’s world. They finished 4-0 and easily took the top spot in Group B. They outscored their opponents 21-2, with goalkeeper Klara Peslarova having the tournament’s best save percentage (.961). Daniela Pejsova and Katerina Mrazova led the team with seven points each. Such tools have allowed the Czech Republic to reach the semi-finals for the first time ever.
The Czech Republic is also looking to erase previous failures from the Women’s Worlds, as they have lost to Finland in their last three quarterfinal matches, including a 1-0 decision in Calgary a year ago.
CANADA vs SWEDEN
- When: Thursday, September 1
- Where: KVIK Hockey Arena (Herning, Denmark)
- Time: 2 p.m. ET
- Channel: The NHL Network
- Current: DirecTV Stream, FuboTV, Sling
Although Canada could not defeat their rivals to the south to finish in Group A, the reigning world champions and Olympic gold medalists are still confident of making the knockout rounds. Finishing with a 3-1 record, the Canadians were led by some younger blood, as Sarah Fillier led the team with four goals and three assists, tied for third most in the tournament. Marie-Philip Poulin was her usual exceptional self, along with Blayre Turnbull, Ella Shelton and Victoria Bach, who each scored five points in the preliminary round.
After not participating in last year’s tournament, Sweden is back in the quarterfinals for the first time since 2017. It was certainly not an easy road, as they only had one regulation win. Still, thanks to shootout wins over Germany and Hungary, the Swedes were able to take second in Group B. If they are to have any chance of staging an upset and reaching their first semi-final since 2009, they will need the likes of Hanna Olsson and goalkeeper Emma Söderberg comes with a big game.