The Germany women's ice hockey team has won its opening game at the IIHF World Championships in commanding fashion.
The team of national coach Jeff MacLeod easily defeated Denmark 5-1 (1-0, 1-0, 3-1) on Thursday in Utica, New York.
Germany dominated the match right from the start. Goalkeeper Sandra Abstreiter, the only German to play in the new women's professional league in Ottawa, Canada, saved the few chances the Danes had.
Germany scored shortly before the end of the first period while short-handed. Lilli Welcke made it 1-0 after an assist from twin sister Luisa, who both play for Boston University.
Laura Kluge from the Memmingen Indians capitalized on one of numerous opportunities in the second period to make it 2-0. Club colleague Ronja Hark and Jule Schiefer increased the lead to 4-0. Nicoline Jensen scored for Denmark in the 57th minute bringing the score to 4-1, but Emily Nix found the Danish net just under a minute later to make the final score 5-1.
The DEB team must finish third in Group B to reach the quarter-finals. They have Denmark, the favourites Sweden, Japan and China in their group. On Saturday, Germany will play its second pool match against Japan.