Olympic Hockey 2026 Results, Highlights for Friday Groups Ahead of Women's KO Bracket

Switzerland and Japan picked up victories on the second day of women's hockey group play at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Switzerland used a two-goal comeback to force overtime and then won in a shootout over Czechia.

Japan opened its Olympic account with a triumph over France in Group B.

The women's hockey action in Milan heats up on Saturday with four games, including ones involving the United States and Canada.

Group A

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1 United States (1-0; 3 points)

2. Switzerland (1-0; 2 points)

3. Canada (0-0; 0 points)

4. Finland (0-0; 0 points)

5. Czechia (0-2; 0 points)

Friday's Result

Switzerland 4, Czechia 3 (Final/SO)

Switzerland capped an epic comeback with a shootout victory over Czechia.

The Swiss rallied from down two goals down in the third period to force overtime. They won the shootout 4-3 in the eighth round.

Alina Muller and Lara Christen scored the third-period goals to bring the Swiss level with Czechia.

The Czechs held a 2-1 advantage after one period and went ahead by two goals early in the third.

The result boosted Switzerland into second place in Group A behind the United States.

Czechia is last in Group A with two losses in two games. It doesn't get any easier for Czechia with Finland and Canada on its remaining group schedule.

The Americans are back in action on Saturday against Finland. Canada opens its Olympic slate against Switzerland on Saturday.

Group B

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1 Sweden (1-0; 3 points)

2. Italy (1-0; 3 points)

3. Japan (1-0; 3 points)

4. Germany (0-1; 0 points)

5. France (0-2; 0 points)

Friday's Result

Japan 3, France 2

Japan joined Sweden and Italy at 1-0 in Group B with a win over France on Friday morning.

Japan broke away from a 1-1 deadlock in the third period through goals from Makoto Ito and Suzuka Maeda.

France pulled a goal back late on the power play with 12 seconds left in the contest, but it didn't do enough to push the game to overtime.

France is now 0-2 with a -4 goal differential and it still has to play Sweden, the best team in Group B, so it's likely the French are headed for an early elimination.

Sweden and Italy will break the tie at the top of Group B with a head-to-head meeting on Saturday. Japan faces Germany in Saturday's other Group B contest.