LILLEHAMMER – Team Switzerland got its 2016 Youth Olympic campaign off to a good start, as the women’s national junior team defeated Sweden 2-1.

Noemi Ryhner had the game winner in a shootout that went for 12 rounds. Sweden, the defending champions form the inaugural Youth Olympics in Innsbruck 2012 and also playing in its first game, lost when forward Sofie Lundin missed on her chance, allowing Rhyner to finish the game with her goal.

The victory is Switzerland's first-ever in a Winter Youth Olympic Games ice hockey tournament event.

The two teams played a very close game throughout, each getting 18 shots on the other. Lundin scored her team’s lone goal midway through the first period.

Switzerland equalized on the power play with just over six minutes to go in the game, captain Lisa Ruedi scoring the tying goal assisted from linemate Rahel Enzler.

The Swiss move on to face tournament hosts Norway. Sweden takes on the Czech Republic, which defeated Slovakia earlier in the day. Both games are on Monday.

ADAM STEISS