3 Stars Of The Day – CanucksBanter

1. Hannah Bilka and Taylor Heise (USA): The duo of young NCAA stars share the first star honors after combining for five points in the USA’s 9-0 win over Switzerland.

Heise who had yet to score poured in a pair for the USA in the first period showing off her shot, which to this point had been overshadowed by her playmaking skills.

Bilka found chemistry with veteran Hilary Knight in this game assisting on both of Knight’s goals, and scoring her own on a redirection in the first to give the USA a commanding lead.

The youngsters will lead the American’s into the next generation.

2. Akane Shiga, LW (JAP): Throughout the tournament, Akane Shiga has played with speed, and was the most consistent threat for Team Japan. Shiga finally saw that pay dividends against Finland scoring on a back door play in the first period to make the score 1-1, and scoring again in the second, this time on a solo effort taking her own rebound on the rush to make it 4-2. Shiga, who is only 21, added an assist on Japan’s final goal and will be counted on as a central figure for Japan in the quarterfinal.

3. Mira Jungaker, D (SWE): The young defender has been a stalwart for Sweden not only playing in key defensive moments, but also leading the charge offensively at times. Jungaker has stepped up on the power play and in transition to keep the puck moving forward for Sweden.

Source: thehockeynews.com

1. Alina Muller, C (SUI): On the first goal of the game, Muller dragged, delayed, faked, then fed a perfect pass to Lara Stalder who buried a one-timer. It showed incredible control, and showcased the immense playmaking skills that Muller possesses. Later, she dropped to a knee in the slot adding extra leverage to her shot to bury a 2-0 marker. Offensively, Muller stacks up with the best in the world, and she showed it in Switzerland’s win over Japan.

2. Lara Stalder, RW (SUI): The combination of Stalder and Alina Muller proved to be too much for the Japanese defense. To open the scoring, Stalder found open ice in the left circle and ripped a one-timer short side. Next, she scooped a loose puck below the goal line, rounded the net and perfectly slid a pass to Muller in the slot who scored to make it 2-0. The duo controlled play whenever they were on the ice, with Stalder showing dominance on the cycle or in possession below the goal line, holding pressure for the Swiss.

3. Adela Sapovalivova, LW (CZE): Coming off a year where Sapovalivova led the Czechian women’s league in goals and then was named a tournament all-star at the U-18 World Championship scoring nine points in five games, things didn’t look like they could get better for the talented forward. When the youngest player in the tournament at just 16 scored a pair of goals against Hungary, however, it marked a new era for Czechia. She will be a centerpiece to the Czechian attack for years.