Japan Defeats Germany 1-0 in Women's Ice Hockey as Olympic Group B Heats Up

Japan's women's ice hockey team continued their impressive start to the 2026 Winter Olympics with a gritty 1-0 victory over Germany on Saturday morning at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena. The shutout win moves Japan to 2-0 in Group B preliminary round play with three points, while Germany drops to 0-1 and remains winless in the tournament. The low-scoring affair showcased Japan's defensive prowess and tactical discipline against a German side that struggled to generate sustained offensive pressure throughout the contest. Japan's goaltender was exceptional between the pipes, turning away every German attempt to preserve the clean sheet in what proved to be a tense defensive battle from start to finish. This victory comes just one day after Japan's thrilling 3-2 win over France on February 6, in which Rui Ukita, Makoto Ito, and Suzuka Maeda all found the back of the net. That game saw Japan outlast France in a back-and-forth contest that featured late drama, with France scoring with just 12 seconds remaining to make it close after Maeda's empty-net goal appeared to seal the win. Japan's perfect 2-0 start positions them well in the competitive Group B standings, where they're battling against traditional hockey powers and looking to advance to the medal rounds. The team's ability to win in different styles—both high-scoring affairs and defensive struggles—demonstrates their versatility and championship potential. Germany, meanwhile, faces an uphill battle after dropping their opening game. The German squad will need to regroup quickly and find their offensive rhythm in upcoming preliminary round matches if they hope to advance out of Group B. Their inability to solve Japan's defense and goaltending proved costly in a game where a single goal made all the difference. Both teams will return to action in the coming days as the preliminary round continues at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Japan's next challenge will be crucial as they look to maintain their perfect record and secure a favorable position heading into the knockout stages of the tournament.