Sweden opens world women's hockey championship with win over Denmark

Lina Ljungblom scored the winning goal as Sweden opened up the 2024 world women's hockey championship with a 3-1 win over Denmark on Wednesday in Utica. N.Y.

Ljungblom's goal came late in the second period with Sweden on a power play. Sofie Lundin's shot pass found an unmarked Ljungblom, whose shot beat Danish goaltender Emma-Sofie Nordstrom.

Lundin also set up Josefin Bouveng's insurance goal in the third period.

Sweden's Felizia Wikner-Zienkiewicz opened the scoring around the midway point of the second period.

Nicoline Jensen scored for Denmark with eight and a half minutes remaining.

Swedish goaltender Emma Soderberg faced just five shots.

Nordstrom made 36 saves for Denmark.

Later Wednesday, Finland faced the Czech Republic and host and defending champion United States met Switzerland.

Canada plays its first game Thursday against Finland.

WATCH | CBC Sports' Hockey North previews women's hockey worlds: