HISTORIC HOME ICE WIN: Czechia Opens Worlds with Statement Shutout Over Switzerland

České Budějovice – The wait is over. On a night that was years in the making, the Czech women’s national team made their long-awaited home-ice IIHF Women’s World Championship debut — and they delivered in style.

In front of 5,859 roaring fans, Czechia blanked Switzerland 3–0 in their opening game of the 2025 tournament, showing confidence, creativity, and a team-wide cohesion that felt more like a medal-round performance than a tournament opener.

This was more than a win. It was a statement.

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After months of anticipation around how Czechia would handle the pressure of opening on home ice for the first time in tournament history, the answer came swiftly and emphatically: with confidence and pace. Klára Hymlárová opened the scoring just under five minutes in, burying a laser of a shot after a gorgeous sequence involving Andrea Trnková and Natálie Mlýnková. It was a goal built on puck movement, trust, and execution — all hallmarks of this new era under Carla MacLeod.

Rookie Barbora Juříčková looked right at home in her debut, and Kateřina Mrázová wasted no time reminding fans what they missed last year, nearly setting up Adéla Šapovalivová with a dazzling backdoor pass. Mrázová — returning from injury and suiting up in red for the first time in over a year — looked every bit the veteran playmaker Czechia has leaned on in past tournaments. Then came the moment many were waiting for. With Czechia on the power play, Kristýna Kaltounková — making her senior World Championship debut — stepped into a shot from the high slot and wired it home for her first goal in national team colors. It was a perfect finish to a perfect period: 2–0 Czechia.

As the second period began, the story shifted from the veterans to the kids. Just as the game settled, 17-year-old Tereza Pištěková — also in her first senior Worlds — got a stick on a floating puck from the point and redirected it in. A moment she’ll never forget, and a reward for simply putting pucks on net. Assists went to Andrea Trnková and Vendula Přibylová, both of whom had strong games in the middle six.

Czechia’s forecheck continued to buzz. Mlýnková was a shot machine. Plosová rang one off the post. Šapovalivová looked dangerous every time she touched the puck. Defensively, Dominika Lásková — playing her first Worlds game in two years after a long injury recovery — logged over 8 minutes in the second period alone and looked composed and sharp. Peslarová made two huge saves on Swiss 2-on-1s, stoning Alina Müller’s line multiple times. The defense, anchored by Tejralová and Pejšová, remained stout and composed.

While Czechia didn’t add to the scoreboard in the third, the period showed their ability to stay composed when the game got chippy. Kaltounková — already with a goal — took two minor penalties, but responded with huge shot blocks on the PK to help kill them off. Noemi Neubauerová brought the fire, getting involved in a net-front scuffle and taking a roughing minor, while Pejzlová nearly dazzled her way onto the scoresheet with a brilliant dangle through multiple defenders.

The penalty kill went a perfect 4-for-4. Even when undisciplined moments crept in, the group never looked panicked — a sign of maturity and trust.

Klára Peslarová finished the night with a 26-save shutout. With limited playing time in the PWHL this season, many wondered how she’d look in this opening game. She answered that question with poise, calm, and game-saving brilliance.

And fittingly, the player of the game went to Kristýna Kaltounková — not just for her first career Worlds goal, but for a performance that was everywhere: scoring, blocking shots, generating looks, and being physically engaged all over the ice.
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What This Game Means? This game wasn’t just about starting the tournament 1–0. It was about proving that this Czech team, with veterans returning, rookies stepping up, and a home crowd behind them — is ready.

There was no hesitation. No rust. No nervous energy.

Every player made an impact. Every line clicked. Every shift looked like something out of mid-season form. And as the final buzzer sounded inside Budvar Arena, the message was clear: this team isn’t just playing at home — they’re playing for something bigger.