Japan hammered Denmark 6-2 on Saturday for its second straight win in the Beijing Olympics women's ice hockey tournament, taking a huge step toward a first-ever quarterfinals berth.
Japan, ranked sixth in the world and appearing in its third straight Games, finished clinically against the 11th-ranked Olympic debutant at Wukesong Sports Centre, as it moved to the top of the five-nation Group B from which the top three teams will advance.
"It was a game that gives one the feeling that we've developed," said Japan head coach Yuji Iizuka, whose team is now in good position to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in the Olympics.