Players of Japan (C), pose with players of Sweden (L) and players of Slovakia during the awarding ceremony after the ice hockey women's final between Japan and Sweden at the 3rd Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Jan. 21, 2020. (Xinhua/Xiao Yazhuo)
LAUSANNE, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Japan shocked defending champions Sweden 4-1 to clinch gold at the Lausanne 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games on Tuesday.
It's the first ever gold medal for Japan in women's ice hockey at YOG. They have surprised everyone as the dark horse with a convincing performance, scoring four or more in every game during the tournament.
Seeking for their third consecutive title, Sweden broke the deadlock at the end of the first period when captain Nicole Hall scored with her backhander. Shimomukai Hina, who hit a hat-trick in the semifinals against Slovakia, levelled it up for Japan in the opening minutes of the second.
Japan jumped out to a 3-1 lead into final period as Noro Rio and Ito Makoto scored within six minutes. Sweden tried to fight back and pulled the goalkeeper out in last two minutes, but Shimomukai sealed the victory with an empty net goal.
Slovakia overturned the host Switzerland 2-1 to win the bronze medal.
The men's final will be played between the United States Russia on Wednesday.
The USA edged Canada with a thrilling 2-1 victory in the semifinals while Russia powered into the final by overwhelming Finland 10-1.
