Switzerland-Slovakia (1-0, 0-1, 1-0) BURLINGTON – Switzerland got its first win of the 2012 Women’s World Championship tonight with a hard-fought 2-1 win over a determined Slovakian team. With the win the Swiss can still qualify for the quarter-finals. With the loss, the Slovakian team is destined for the Relegation Round. Slovakia outshot Switzerland 30-27. After killing off an early penalty, Switzerland got on the board first thanks to a goal from Darcia Leimgruber. It looked as though the team would increase its lead soon after when the Slovaks tool three penalties in less than two minutes, but the Slovak penalty killing and work of goalie Zuzana Tomcikova kept the score 1-0 through 20 minutes. The second period was almost a mirror image. Jana Kapustova scored early to tie the game for the Slovaks, and then the Swiss ran into serious penalty troubles, four penalties during the rest of the period. This time, it was goalie Florence Schelling at the other end who held the fort, and after two periods the game was an exciting 1-1 tie. Marty’s goal at 3:25 of the third was all the Swiss needed to earn three points in the standings. Both teams finish their Preliminary Round schedules on Tuesday, the Swiss playing Sweden while the Slovaks hook up with Germany. Sweden-Germany (0-0, 0-0, 1-1, 1-0) Elin Holmlov scored just 24 seconds into overtime to give Sweden a 2-1 win over Germany in Group B action. The loss was heart-breaking for Germany which had tied the game in the final minute of regulation. The game was tight and close-checking from the drop of the puck, although Sweden had the greater puck possession and moved up ice a little more fluidly. The goalless first period proved another slow start for Sweden, which scored in the final minute against Slovakia yesterday. Although the second was more wide open, the goalies were the story. Kim Martin, starting for the second straight game, was perfect for Sweden. Viona Harrer was given the day off, and Harss stopped in and made a difference all game long. Much of the drama unfolded in the final 20 minutes, though. Holst was robbed blind by Harss five and a half minutes into the period when the goalie reached back to grab a sure goal off the line. Moments later, though, Holst connected for the game’s first goal. Germany had a great chance to tie midway through when Lina Wester incurred a minor and misconduct for checking from behind, but the Germans couldn’t muster enough pressure on Martin to put the puck in. In the final minute, though, Andrea Lanzl finally solved Martin, tying the score with 48 seconds remaining and forcing overtime. Incredibly, Holst had eleven shots on goal and Pernilla Winberg seven, those two totalling nearly half the team's output of 40. ANDREW PODNIEKS