PWHL Players Shine in First Days of Euro Hockey Tour

As preparation for Olympic qualification ramps up, many smaller international tournaments have begun as teams are looking to build their best rosters. The Euro Hockey Tour got underway this week with Czechia, Finland, Sweden, and Switzerland facing off in a round robin style tournament as the top teams in Europe. The games were held in Kloten, Switzerland this year but rotate annually.

The tour kicked off on Thursday, Aug. 29 featuring games between Czechia and Finland, and Switzerland and Sweden on day one.

After a scoreless first period between Czechia and Finland, who haven’t seen each other since the thrilling bronze medal matchup in the 2024 IIHF World Championship earlier this year, it was Tereza Vanišová who scored first to give Czechia a 1-0 lead.

 Vanišová, who plays for PWHL Ottawa wasn’t alone on the score sheet for long. PWHL Minnesota’s Denisa Křížová added to Czechia’s lead with a goal after both teams traded a few power plays.

 Vanišová’s PWHL Ottawa teammate Katernia Mrázová added to Czechia’s lead again late in the third period but Finland began staging a comeback just thirty seconds later.

Luleå HF’s Petra Nieminen and Noora Tulus scored quickly to make it 3-2 which is how the game would end. While Tulus most recently played for Luleå HF, she has signed with PWHL New York for the upcoming season.

Sweden also took on Switzerland on the first day of the tournament, defeating them 4-1 with goals by Thea Johansson, Hilda Svensson, Elin Svensson and Maja Nylén-Persson who has signed with PWHL New York for the upcoming season. The lone goal scorer for Switzerland was 17-year-old Naemi Herzig in that game.

Sweden didn’t stop their domination on day one though. When they faced off with Finland on the second day of the tournament, despite going down 4-1 to Finland early, they claimed a 7-5 victory in the high-scoring affair.

Tulus and Sasanna Tapani, who played for both PWHL Minnesota and PWHL Boston last season, scored early. In addition, Luleå HF’s Viivi Vainikka scored twice to give Finland a cushion however Sweden scored six unanswered goals to take the 7-5 win.

Switzerland and Czechia also faced off to round out day two of the tournament. That game ended in a 2-1 shootout with Switzerland taking the win. Lara Stalder scored the lone goal for the Swiss in regulation and the only shootout goal in the game. Czechia’s goal was scored by Michaela Pejzlová.

After two days, Sweden leads the standings with two regulation wins and six points.