The Czech Republic recovered from 0-2 behind to win a thrilling opener against Switzerland as Group B got underway in Dmitrov.

Two power play goals either side of the first intermission put the Swiss in charge, with Nicole Vallario opening the scoring in the first period before Stefanie Wetli doubled the lead early in the second.

But the game turned in the 29th minute when the Czechs scored twice in 23 seconds to tie the scores and seize the momentum. First, Veronika Lorencova reduced the deficit with a close-range finish off a Martina Exnerova assist. Then a Swiss error on the Czech blue line presented Kristyna Kaltounkova with the puck and she skated the length of the ice to tie the game.

Now the Czechs were in the ascendancy, and Laura Lerchova put the team ahead for the first time late in the middle frame.

A third power play goal for the Swiss saw Lisa Ruedi tie the game early in the third, but Kaltounkova had the final say when she potted the winning goal. Once again, she was deep in her own territory when she collected the puck, but if her first goal came with just one opponent between her and the target, this time there were several Swiss players between her and the net. Nonetheless, the Vermont Academy prospect found a path to the goal and claimed a marker worthy of winning any game.