Finland made a confident start to its Group B campaign with a 4-1 success over newly-promoted Germany.

The Germans, back at this level for the first time since 2015, found life tough in the early stages. Finland dominated the first period, outshooting its opponent 13-4 and scoring two unanswered goals. Elisa Holopainen got the opener and had a helper as Sanni Rantala made it 2-0 inside 15 minutes.

Holopainen, who plays her club hockey for KalPa Kuopio, finished the game with three points after collecting another assist when Julia Liikala added a third barely a minute into the middle frame. That highlights the value of last year’s experience: now 16, and familiar with this level, Holopainen’s three-point tally is already up on her solitary assist in five outings in the Czech Republic 12 months ago.

The Finns grabbed a fourth goal through Anna Lotta Rasanen, but Germany got off the mark in the final minute of the second period when Lilli Welke found the net. The final stanza was goalless as Finland cruised to victory.