Playing a World Championship game on home ice is special. But scoring a goal for your country on home ice? That’s something else.

Emma Russell scored the first goal in Denmark’s home opener of the 2022 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship against Sweden, a shot from the high slot just 1:21 into the game. While that was followed up 30 seconds later by a tying goal from Sweden’s Hanna Olsson, the crowd in Frederikshavn – equipped with flags and drums – filled Iscenter Nord with chants of “Denmark! Denmark!”

"It was awesome. I honestly didn’t expect that many people in the stands but when I got there I was like ‘wow’," said Josefine Jakobsen. "Even though it’s a late game, you see a lot of kids out there, and that’s what it’s all about: boys and girls, showing that nothing is impossible, even in Denmark."

Besides an early power play for the Danes, Sweden maintained possession for much of the first period, outshooting Denmark 11-5. Denmark held them off with their tenacious defence, clogging the centre of the ice and blocking shots. Those shots that did get through were denied by goalie Cassandra Repstock-Romme, who backstopped Denmark for all four of the team’s games in Beijing earlier this year. In the second period, Repstock-Romme submitted an entry for save of the tournament, sprawling across the crease to stop an open Sofie Lundin.

"We were talking about the little things we need to do better," Jakobsen said of the talk in the Danish dressing room between periods. "We had some good moments, but also very bad ones. Obviously we’ve got to score on our chances. We had a couple of breakaways, so that’s step one."

Denmark came out flying in the second period with a number of close opportunities, including a shorthanded attempt from Michelle Weis and a shot from Jakobsen that went just wide of the net. Sweden however, found their groove and continued to outshoot Denmark, following up a penalty kill halfway through the second period with Olsson’s second goal of the game. Making a move to sidestep Denmark’s defence, Olsson’s first shot attempt was stopped by Repstock-Romme. A second stab at the puck from Olsson put the puck across the line.

"Of course it’s a team win today and of course I want to be here and produce points and score goals, so I’m really happy with [my goals]," said Olsson. "We are four really tough lines to play against and we skate hard and work hard every day so that’s going to be a danger for the other teams."

Sweden capitalized on the power play 21 seconds later, widening their lead with a goal from Maja Nylen Persson, who led SDHL defenders in goals (15) and points (47) and was named the Swedish Defenseman of the Year this past season.

"After the first goal – it was pretty early – but after that I think we had the whole first period, and then we broke them down and got them tired, and I think that was the key for the rest of the game," said Nylen Persson. "And obviously we got two goals in the second period and just played with more confidence. The first game there's always nervous players and now we don’t have that and hopefully we can come in and be more calm from the beginning."

The team captains traded goals in the third, with Sweden's Michelle Lowenhielm scoring off of a pass from Josefin Bouveng and Jakobsen adding one to Denmark's tally. While Denmark continued to put up a fight, Olsson scored yet again on a late power play, and Sweden took the game 5-2 to open their return to the top level of the Women’s World Championships with a victory.