HERNING, Denmark – After closing out the preliminary round with a perfect 4-0 record, the U.S. turns its attention to Hungary in a quarterfinal matchup on Thursday. Puck drop is slated for 4 p.m. local time, 10 a.m. ET and can be viewed live on NHL Network. 

TODAY'S MATCHUP

Today's matchup against Hungary marks the quarterfinal meeting for the two teams after closing out the preliminary round with a 5-2 victory over Canada on Tuesday. The U.S. enters the playoff round as the top seed after finishing the preliminary round with a 4-0 record. It marks the seventh time since 2010 that Team USA has run the table in the prelims.

LAST TIME OUT

After falling behind 2-0, the U.S. netted five unanswered goals to beat rival Canada, 5-2, and close out the preliminary round with a perfect 4-0 record. Knotted at two heading into the third, forward Lacey Eden roofed a shot from the circle to give Team USA a lead they would not relinquish. The U.S. outshot Canada 33-28 as 11 players recorded a point. Goaltender Nicole Hensley made 26 shots in the win. It marked the first victory over Canada at an international tournament since a 3-2 prelim win at the 2019 Women's Worlds.

AGAINST HUNGARY...

Today marks the first-ever Women's World Championship meeting between the two teams. The U.S. and Hungary have only ever met once on the international stage, on March 24, 2014 at the 2014 IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship. The U.S. won the preliminary-round game, 7-0. Current national team members Jincy Dunne, Abby Roque and Megan Keller all contributed to the victory.

IN THE QUARTERFINALS...

Team USA holds a perfect 2-0 record in quarterfinal competition at Women's Worlds. The U.S. first played in a quarterfinal game back in 2019, having earned a bye to the semifinals each year prior. The tournament format changed in 2019, with the U.S. playing quarterfinal games each WWC since.