In the women's Olympic ice hockey tournament at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, Germany secured its first win with a 5-2 victory over Japan in Group B. Japan mounted a late comeback with two quick goals but fell short.
On February 8, 2026, at the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena, Germany beat Japan 5-2 in a Group B match of the women's Olympic ice hockey tournament, securing their first win of the competition and improving to 1-1.
Germany struck early, just 44 seconds in, when forward Luisa Welcke fired a shot and captain Daria Gleissner tapped in the rebound for a 1-0 lead. Midway through the first period, Emily Nix slipped past Japan's defense and flipped a wrist shot past goalie Miyuu Masuhara to make it 2-0. Less than five minutes later, Nicola Hadraschek scored through the five-hole for a 3-0 advantage.
Germany led 5-0 through 31 minutes, but Japan rallied late in the second period with goals 22 seconds apart from Yumeka Wajima and Mei Miura, narrowing the gap to 5-2.
Laura Kluge contributed a goal and three assists, while Hadraschek added two goals and an assist. Japan's Smile Japan will face host Italy on Monday.
