Finland's bitter loss to Sweden in the previous game meant that Japan was up against a team that was all business. The Finns also took care of business, beating Japan 8-2.

Emma Nuutinen scored twice for Finland, Emmi Juusela and Sanni Vanhanen scored one and added two assists each. Rio Noro and Remi Koyama scored for Japan.

"This was closer to the way we know we can and want to play," Juusela said. "Naturally, there are still details we must work on, but this was a step forward."

Japan desperately needed the points to avoid the relegation round, and their desperation came out the right way early in the game as their resilient forecheck created a few chances.
 

 

 

 

 

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At 4:11, a Finnish defender stumbled behind the goal line. Remi Koyama grabbed the loose puck and fired a quick slap shot that beat Emilia Kyrkko in the Finnish net.

The Japanese goal only seemed to make the Finns even more determined. They came through the neutral zone with speed, held the puck in Japan’s zone, and created several great chances.

Just 2:45 after the Japanese goal, Petra Nieminen sent Noora Tulus up the wing during a delayed Japanese penalty. Tulus found Emma Nuutinen on the other side of the ice, and Nuutinen beat Riko Kawaguchi with a wrister from the slot to tie the game.

Finland grabbed the lead 42 seconds later when Sofia Nuutinen, Emma’s sister, found Julia Liikala wide open at the back door, and she could easily tap it in for 2-1 at 7:38.

The dagger came before the period was halfway through, when Viivi Vainikka and Emmi Juusela blew by Japan’s defense. Vainikka set up Juusela, who fired a backhander that Kawaguchi stopped, but Sanni Vanhanen grabbed the rebound and banged it in for 3-1 at 9:46.

Japan had a great opportunity to get back into the game when they got a two-player advantage early in the second period.

And they used it. Japan peppered Kyrkko with shots, and when she missed one, Rio Noro slammed in a rebound from the crease to bring Japan within one at 1:38.

"Japan was a tough opponent, they never gave up," said Team Finland captain Jenni Hiirikoski. 
 
But their joy was short-lived. At 3:24, Juusela returned the favor by scoring Finland’s 4-2 goal off a Vainikka rebound. It was her first Women’s World Championship goal.

"I think our styles mesh well, I like playing with Sanni. Funnily enough, she also assistd on my first national team goal," Juusela said. 

Julia Schalin scored her first of the tournament after an awkward situation. As she was forechecking, her skates first Kawaguchi, who lost her balance and didn’t have time to reset before Schalin could grab the loose puck in the corner and fire it top shelf.

Finland 5, Japan 2 at 5:59.

With 7:01 remaining in the second period, Miyuu Masuhara took over in Japan’s crease.

Sanni Rantala made it 6-2 for Finland halfway through the third period. Juusela found Rantala in the slot, driving to the net, and the Finnish defender snapped the puck top shelf at 9:51. Vanhanen also picked up an assist.

Emma Nuutinen made it 7-2 on power play, off a gorgeous feed from Tulus from behind the net at 16:23 and Siiri Yrjola added aniother one just 19 seconds later to seal the final score, 8-2.