LILLEHAMER – The Czech Republic collected its second win in as many games, shutting out Norway 3-0 in the preliminary round of the 2016 Youth Olympic Games women’s ice hockey tournament.

Norway fell to 0-2 in the tournament and wasn’t able to muster enough offence to keep up in the game. The Czechs came alive early in the second period, hitting the Norwegians with three goals on three shots.

“We have two wins and we want to be in the final so it is good so far.” Said Martiny Exnerova. “We were really energized and wanted to win.”

First it was Laura Lerchova that broke the ice with a shot from outside the left circle that Norway goalie Mia Christine Isdahl failed to track as it went past her glove into the far side or the net.

Following a goal from Veronika Lorencova less than a minute later, Czech defenceman and team captain Magdalena Erbenova put her team up 3-0 with a shot from the point, forcing Norwegian coach Laura Rollins to take a timeout to regroup.

“It’s our dream to win this tournament so we must do everything to earn it,” said Lorencova. “We were frustrated in the first period but the second period was great.”

But the Czechs effectively controlled the game the rest of the way, giving little up to the Norwegian offence and only needing to call on goalie Kristyna Blahova to make a handful of saves, just three in fact through two periods and eight overall.

The Czech will have a day off before facing defending women’s Youth Olympic champions Sweden on Tuesday, while Norway takes on Switzerland tomorrow.  

ADAM STEISS