Hilary Knight gets assist record as US shuts out Switzerland at the women’s hockey worlds

CESKE BUDEJOVICE, Czech Republic (AP) — Hilary Knight set an assist record as the United States wrapped up the group stage at the women’s ice hockey world championship by beating Switzerland 5-0 on Tuesday.

The U.S. topped Group A with a perfect record of four wins from four and will face Germany, the third-place team in Group B, in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

The 35-year-old Knight, making her 15th world championship appearance, recorded three assists for a total of 50 to break Hayley Wickenheiser’s record of 49 assists at the tournament.

Knight is also the all-time leader for goals (67) and points (117).

“It’s really special,” the U.S. captain said of her latest record. “All those players on the leaderboard are (who) I looked up to when I was younger."

Tessa Janecke and Kendall Coyne scored two goals each, Caroline Harvey also had a goal and Alex Carpenter added three assists. Goalie Gwyneth Philips only had to make three saves before she was replaced 11:04 into the middle period by Ava McNaughton, who also stopped three shots as the U.S. outshot the Swiss 53-6.

Janecke opened the scoring with a power play goal on a rebound 11:23 into the game. Coyne doubled the advantage 1:04 later before Janecke added her second with 4:55 remaining in the opening period.

Harvey netted the fourth with a shot high into the net in the final second of the middle period before Coyne finished it off with 1:19 to go in the final frame.

Earlier, Japan edged past Germany 1-0 to set up a quarterfinal against defending champion Canada.

Japan finished second in Group B while Canada was placed second in Group A.

Rui Ukita scored the lone goal for Japan and goalie Miyuu Masuhara stopped 34 shots to get the shutout.

Also, Ebba Hedqvist scored a hat trick for Sweden in an 8-0 rout of newly promoted Norway.

Sweden won Group B with four wins in four games and will face Finland, the third team in Group A, in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

Norway, which was promoted to the top division after a 27-year absence, was fourth in Group B after winning one game and will be relegated together with another newcomer, Hungary, which finished pointless at the bottom.

Mira Hallin, Lina Ljungblom, Jenna Raunio, Josefin Bouveng and Hilda Svensson also had a goal each and Ida Boman made 16 saves in the Swedish net.

AP women’s hockey: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey

From left, Alex Carpenter of USA, goalie Andrea Braendli of Switzerland, Nicole Vallari of Switzerland and Tessa Janecke of USA in action during the ice hockey IIHF Women's World Championship, Group A, match between USA and Switzerland, in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (Lubos Pavlicek/CTK via AP)

From left Lara Christen of Switzerland, Alex Carpenter of USA, Kaleigh Quennec of Switzerland and Hilary Knight of USA in action during the ice hockey IIHF Women's World Championship, Group A, match between USA and Switzerland, in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (Lubos Pavlicek/CTK via AP)

From left, goalkeeper Andrea Braendli of Switzerland, Alina Mueller and Elena Gaberell of Switzerland looks on after third goal of USA is scored during the ice hockey IIHF Women's World Championship, Group A, match between USA and Switzerland, in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (Lubos Pavlicek/CTK via AP)

From left, Alex Carpenter, Tessa Janecke and Megan Keller of USA celebrate a goal during the ice hockey IIHF Women's World Championship, Group A, match between USA and Switzerland, in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (Lubos Pavlicek/CTK via AP)

From left, goalkeeper Miyuu Masuhara of Japan, Umeka Odaira of Japan, Ida Karlsson of Sweden, Shiori Yamashita of Japan and Ebba Hedqvist of Sweden in action during the IIHF Women's World Championship, Group B, match between Japan and Sweden, in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (Luboš Pavlíček/CTK via AP)

Norway's Oda Austefjord, second right, and Sweden's Lina Ljungblom, right, challenge for the puck during the IIHF Women's World Championship, Group B, ice hockey match between Norway and Sweden in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (Vaclav Pancer/CTK via AP)

From left, Germany goalkeeper Sandra Abstreiter, Katarina, Germany's Jobst-Smith, Germany's Luisa Welcke, Japan's Mei Miura and Germany's Lilli Welcke in action during the IIHF Women's World Championship, Group B, match between Germany and Japan, in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (Lubos Pavlicek/CTK via AP)

From left, Japan's Makoto, Germany's Carina Strobel and Japan's Kohane Sato in action during the IIHF Women's World Championship, Group B, match between Germany and Japan, in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (Lubos Pavlicek/CTK via AP)

Japanese players celebrate a goal during the IIHF Women's World Championship, Group B, match between Germany and Japan, in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (Lubos Pavlicek/CTK via AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of nurses in three hospital systems in New York City went on strike Monday after negotiations through the weekend failed to yield breakthroughs in their contract disputes.

The strike was taking place at The Mount Sinai Hospital and two of its satellite campuses, with picket lines forming. The other affected hospitals are NewYork-Presbyterian and Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx.

About 15,000 nurses are involved in the strike, according to New York State Nurses Association.

“After months of bargaining, management refused to make meaningful progress on core issues that nurses have been fighting for: safe staffing for patients, healthcare benefits for nurses, and workplace violence protections,” the union said in a statement issued Monday. “Management at the richest hospitals in New York City are threatening to discontinue or radically cut nurses’ health benefits.”

The strike, which comes during a severe flu season, could potentially force the hospitals to transfer patients, cancel procedures or divert ambulances. It could also put a strain on city hospitals not involved in the contract dispute, as patients avoid the medical centers hit by the strike.

The hospitals involved have been hiring temporary nurses to try and fill the labor gap during the walkout, and said in a statement during negotiations that they would “do whatever is necessary to minimize disruptions.” Montefiore posted a message assuring patients that appointments would be kept.

“NYSNA’s leaders continue to double down on their $3.6 billion in reckless demands, including nearly 40% wage increases, and their troubling proposals like demanding that a nurse not be terminated if found to be compromised by drugs or alcohol while on the job," Montefiore spokesperson Joe Solmonese said Monday after the strike had started. "We remain resolute in our commitment to providing safe and seamless care, regardless of how long the strike may last.”

New York-Presbyterian accused the union of staging a strike to “create disruption,” but said in a statement that it has taken steps to ensure patients receive the care they need.

"We’re ready to keep negotiating a fair and reasonable contract that reflects our respect for our nurses and the critical role they play, and also recognizes the challenging realities of today’s healthcare environment,” the statement said.

The work stoppage is occurring at multiple hospitals simultaneously, but each medical center is negotiating with the union independently. Several other hospitals across the city and in its suburbs reached deals in recent days to avert a possible strike.

The nurses’ demands vary by hospital, but the major issues include staffing levels and workplace safety. The union says hospitals have given nurses unmanageable workloads.

Nurses also want better security measures in the workplace, citing incidents like a an incident last week, when a man with a sharp object barricaded himself in a Brooklyn hospital room and was then killed by police.

The union also wants limitations on hospitals’ use of artificial intelligence.

The nonprofit hospitals involved in the negotiations say they’ve been working to improve staffing levels, but say the union’s demands overall are too costly.

Nurses voted to authorize the strike last month.

Both New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani had expressed concern about the possibility of the strike. As the strike deadline neared, Mamdani urged both sides to keep negotiating and reach a deal that “both honors our nurses and keeps our hospitals open.”

“Our nurses kept this city alive through its hardest moments. Their value is not negotiable,” Mamdani said.

State Attorney General Letitia James voiced similar support, saying "nurses put their lives on the line every day to keep New Yorkers healthy. They should never be forced to choose between their own safety, their patients’ well-being, and a fair contract.”

The last major nursing strike in the city was only three years ago, in 2023. That work stoppage, at Mount Sinai and Montefiore, was short, lasting three days. It resulted in a deal raising pay 19% over three years at those hospitals.

It also led to promised staffing improvements, though the union and hospitals now disagree about how much progress has been made, or whether the hospitals are retreating from staffing guarantees.

Nurses strike outside New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside Mount Sinai West Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside Mount Sinai West Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside Mount Sinai West Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside Mount Sinai West Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

FILE - A medical worker transports a patient at Mount Sinai Hospital, April 1, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)