What Is 2019 IIHF Women's World Championship

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 IIHF Women's World Championship was held from April 4 to 14, 2019, in Espoo, Finland, where the United States defeated Finland 2–1 in a shootout to win their fifth consecutive gold medal.

Key Facts

Tournament took place from April 4–14, 2019, in Espoo, Finland
United States won gold, defeating Finland 2–1 in a shootout
Canada secured bronze by defeating Russia 8–0
Nine teams participated, divided into two groups
Megan Bozek scored the championship-winning shootout goal

Overview

The 2019 IIHF Women's World Championship marked the 20th edition of the premier international women's ice hockey tournament, organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). Hosted in Espoo, Finland, the event brought together top national teams competing for global supremacy in women's hockey.

This championship was notable for its high level of competition and dramatic finishes, culminating in a tense gold medal game. The tournament showcased elite skill, growing global interest, and increasing parity among top-tier nations in women's hockey.

Host city: Espoo, Finland, hosted the event at the Metro Areena, a 7,900-seat venue that provided a vibrant atmosphere for fans and players alike.
Dates: The tournament ran from April 4 to 14, 2019, featuring a total of 22 games across group stages, semifinals, and medal rounds.
Participating teams:Nine nations competed: USA, Canada, Finland, Russia, Switzerland, Germany, Japan, Sweden, and the Czech Republic.
Format: Teams were split into Group A (6 teams) and Group B (3 teams), with the top four from Group A advancing to the playoff round.
Attendance: Over 45,000 fans attended games, setting a new record for attendance at a Women's World Championship held outside North America.

How It Works

The IIHF Women's World Championship follows a structured competition format designed to determine the world champion through round-robin play, rankings, and elimination rounds.

Group Stage: Teams played in two groups; Group A used a round-robin format, while Group B teams played each other once to determine seeding.
Playoff Qualification: The top four teams from Group A advanced to the quarterfinals, while lower-ranked teams entered placement rounds.
Scoring System: Teams earned 3 points for a regulation win, 2 for an overtime/shootout win, 1 for an overtime/shootout loss, and 0 for a regulation loss.
Medal Rounds: Semifinals determined finalists for gold and silver, while the losers played for bronze; winners of lower brackets competed for 5th to 9th place.
Goaltender Rules: Each team could dress two goaltenders per game, with 60 minutes of regulation time and overtime rules applying if tied.
Overtime Format: Gold medal games used 20-minute 3-on-3 overtime periods until a winner was decided, followed by a shootout if necessary.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the top five teams based on final standings, goals scored, and head-to-head results from the 2019 tournament.

Team	Final Standing	Games Played	Goals For	Goals Against
United States	1st (Gold)	6	24	6
Finland	2nd (Silver)	6	15	10
Canada	3rd (Bronze)	6	21	8
Russia	4th	6	10	18
Switzerland	5th	6	13	14

The table highlights the dominance of North American teams, with the USA and Canada combining for 45 goals while allowing only 14. Finland's strong defensive performance and home-ice advantage pushed them to the final, but they fell short in the shootout. Russia’s fourth-place finish was their best in tournament history, signaling emerging strength in women’s hockey.

Why It Matters

The 2019 IIHF Women's World Championship had significant implications for the development and visibility of women's ice hockey worldwide. It highlighted competitive balance, inspired future athletes, and emphasized the need for greater investment in women's sports.

Historic win: The USA claimed their fifth consecutive World title, extending their dominance in international women’s hockey since 2015.
Emerging teams: The Czech Republic finished 7th, showing improvement and indicating growing global participation beyond traditional powerhouses.
Media coverage: Games were broadcast in over 20 countries, increasing visibility and fan engagement for women’s hockey.
Player development: Young stars like Hilary Knight and Aleksandra Vafina demonstrated leadership and skill, shaping the next generation.
Advocacy impact: The tournament occurred amid ongoing pay equity discussions, with players advocating for better support and compensation.
Legacy: Finland’s hosting success encouraged more European bids for future championships, promoting global rotation of events.

The 2019 championship not only crowned a world champion but also advanced the sport’s profile, setting the stage for future growth and competitive evolution in women’s international hockey.