Canada refusing to look past quarterfinal opponent Sweden at women's hockey worlds

Canada's women intend to be on their toes against a quarterfinal opponent that took them to the brink of elimination in last year's world hockey championship.

A Sarah Nurse overtime goal was required in Brampton, Ont., to beat Sweden 3-2 in that quarterfinal.

"We all remember that game last year and we've got something to prove," Canadian forward Blayre Turnbull said Wednesday.

Finland meets Switzerland at 10 a.m. ET, followed by Czechia versus Germany at 1:30, Canada and Sweden at 5 p.m. and the United States against Japan at 8:30 p.m.

The semifinals are Saturday and the medal games Sunday. China and Denmark will be relegated to the Division 1 world championship after finishing fourth and fifth respectively in Group B.

WATCH | Canada ekes past Sweden at 2023 worlds:

Canada led 2-0 on goals by Nurse and Turnbull in Brampton, but the Swedes scored a power-play goal late in the second period and struck even strength with just under 10 seconds remaining in regulation.

"They gave me some of the grey hairs I have right now," Canadian head coach Troy Ryan said.

"There's a lot of talent, a lot of skill, good goaltending. Last year, they probably gained a little bit of confidence, so we're going to have to do what we can to take that away as quick as we can."

The Canadians lost 1-0 in overtime to defending champion United States to cap the preliminary round Monday with a 3-0-1-0 record.

"There wasn't any panic or anything like that," Nurse said. "We lost 1-0 in overtime and they ended up getting the last goal. We know we can get the next one."

WATCH | Canada falls to U.S. in group-stage finale:

It took Canada a period to start generating offensive chances in a fast and physical clash with the Americans. Canada spent time