In the final day of competition at the 2023 IIHF Women’s World Championship, the final game on the calendar dictated which teams would be relegated to Division IA in 2025, with China and Denmark drawing the unfortunate distinction.

In the finale, it was Japan facing Denmark, with both teams and China all fighting for the final Group B spot. In need of Japan to score less than two goals, China was formally eliminated midway through the second period after Taka Suzuka beat Emma-Sofie Nordstrøm to put Smile Japan ahead 2-0. And the Danes, who needed a win in any fashion in order to advance, was held to just eight shots throughout the game, falling 3-0 to send Japan to the quarterfinals against the current IHLC champions the United States on Thursday, while China and Denmark are sent back down to Division IA just one year after they were promoted together.

Normally their replacements would be known by now, but due to the Division IA tournament in Klagenfurt, Austria being held after the Top Division, we will need to wait a bit longer to determine who will replace China and Denmark next season. Hosts Austria will compete against last year’s relegated teams, France and Hungary, along with South Korea, Norway and the Netherlands, to see who will head to the Czechia to join Group B.

Photo Credit: 2024 Women’s World Championship – IIHF – HHOF – IOC