LILLEHAMMER – The men’s and women’s tournaments of the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games began today, but it was a tough outing for Norway which took a 2-1 loss to Slovakia in the women’s game coupled with an 11-0 rout in the men’s.

Women’s tournament: Slovakia – Norway 2-1 (0-1, 1-0, 1-0)

Slovak forward Sylvia Matasova scored the game winner in the third period, giving Slovakia a 2-1 victory in its opening game against Norway in the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games women’s tournament.  

“We are all very happy to win this game, especially because we just came to the tournament and we wanted to do our best,” said forward Michaela Hana Hajnikova.

Norwegian forward Millie Rose Sirum scored the first goal of the tournament midway through the opening period, giving Norway some breathing room early. But Slovakia held the advantage in the shots count and eventually wore down goaltender Ena Maria Nystrom, starting with the equalizer goal coming from Patricia Agostonova in the second period.

Then it was Matasova broke the deadlock early in the third, scoring off a fat rebound given up by Nystrom following a shot from Alexandra Cornakova. The Slovaks held on until the final whistle before mobbing their net in celebration of a well-earned win against a tough Norway team.

“We played well but there is some room for us to improve,” said Norwegian captain Ingrid Holstad Berge. “This has been a great experience for us so far and we hope we can do better in the next game.”

Tournament hosts Norway will face the Czech Republic, who will open their tournament campaign tomorrow against the Slovaks.

Men’s tournament: Finland – Norway 11-0 (5-0, 2-0, 4-0)

Finland’s Young Lions came out roaring against Norway in the opening game of the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games, pounding tournament hosts Norway for 11 goals in a 11-0 victory.  

Five unanswered goals in the opening period from the Finns put Norway on the ropes early. Jesse Moilanen’s goal just under six minutes into the game was followed up by scores from Eetu Maki, Niklas Nordgren, Arttu Nevasaari, and Toni Utunen.

Maki and Nevasaari added one goal each in the second, while at the other end of the ice Norway’s offence sputtered out the gate, managing just one shot in two periods and only three total in the game.

Nordgren led the scoresheet after adding three more goals in the third period as Finland competed the rout of the tournament hosts.

Norway will have one day to lick its wounds before playing Team USA in its next game on Sunday. Finland plays the Americans on Saturday.

ADAM STEISS