Denmark's solid effort leads to win.
photo: Matt Zambonin / HHOF-IIHF Images
Denmark defeated Germany 3-2 in a shootout at the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship at Jyske Bank Boxen. Frans Nielsen’s shootout goal helped Denmark to an opening game win.They were able to get solid goaltending and take advantage of its two power play opportunities in the middle period and a timely shootout goal to post the win.
For Denmark tonight marks its first ever IIHF World Championship game on home ice and against a formidable opponent in the 2018 Winter Olympic silver medalist, Germany. On this historic occasion, Denmark began its World Championship quest in front of a capacity crowd that was very supportive of everything their national team was doing on the ice.
Both teams played a tenacious but scoreless first period of hockey. Germany outshot Denmark 11-9 but the home side took the play to their opponents.
On the other end, Frederik Andersen was holding his own. Frederik Tiffels raced in and sent a shot on net that struck Anderson’s shoulder and over the net.
In the second period the game opened up and both teams would find the back of the net. Denmark would come out of the period ahead because of two power play goals.
Yannic Seidenberg was whistled off for hooking, giving Denmark its first power play of the game. Denmark moved the puck looking to develop a quality chance. Patrick Bjorkstrand beat a defender in the offensive zone and broke in alone but his eventual shot sailed wide right. A great play by Bjorkstrand that was only missing the finish.
But with twenty seconds remaining in the penalty, Jesper Jensen scored. Jensen’s goal was scored from the faceoff circle to the left of the German net. With that, the decidedly Danish crowd was more excited than at the first drop of the puck.
For Denmark tonight marks its first ever IIHF World Championship game on home ice and against a formidable opponent in the 2018 Winter Olympic silver medalist, Germany. On this historic occasion, Denmark began its World Championship quest in front of a capacity crowd that was very supportive of everything their national team was doing on the ice.
Both teams played a tenacious but scoreless first period of hockey. Germany outshot Denmark 11-9 but the home side took the play to their opponents.
"The first 20 minutes wasn't so good," Jonas Muller said of Germany's effort. "That's not how we want to play. We want to put more pucks to the net. After the first, we played better, but the special teams made the difference today. They came with a lot of speed in the first, and outplayed us, and after that it was an even game."
Early in the period, German goaltender Tino Pielmeier misplayed a puck behind his net that allowed Denmark to gain control. Julian Jakobson was able to get off a shot but Pielmeier redeemed himself by making a clutch save.On the other end, Frederik Andersen was holding his own. Frederik Tiffels raced in and sent a shot on net that struck Anderson’s shoulder and over the net.
In the second period the game opened up and both teams would find the back of the net. Denmark would come out of the period ahead because of two power play goals.
Yannic Seidenberg was whistled off for hooking, giving Denmark its first power play of the game. Denmark moved the puck looking to develop a quality chance. Patrick Bjorkstrand beat a defender in the offensive zone and broke in alone but his eventual shot sailed wide right. A great play by Bjorkstrand that was only missing the finish.
But with twenty seconds remaining in the penalty, Jesper Jensen scored. Jensen’s goal was scored from the faceoff circle to the left of the German net. With that, the decidedly Danish crowd was more excited than at the first drop of the puck.
Germany vs. Denmark
GER vs. DEN
Germany answered back four minutes later as Leon Draisaitl evened the score. Yasin Ehliz gained the offensive zone and got off a shot Andersen saved but none of the three Danish players in front of the net could gain possession. As the puck slipped behind the net, Eliz regained control and sent a pass to a waiting Draisaitl who banged it home.
A second Danish power play in the middle period was highlighted by quick puck movement and shots on goal. Denmark charged the net again as Jesper Jensen had two chances to get his second goal of the game. Then as time was winding down on the penalty, Nichlas Hardt beat two German defenders to the puck sending a blind backhand pass in front. Frederik Storm the puck and scored an uncontested goal.
Denmark was surging by the third period and it would appear their confidence had grown considerably since the start of the game. Still, it was a 2-1 game and plenty of chances for Germany to bounce back.
With 9:17 remaining in the game, Ehliz sent a shot on goal that Andersen could not handle. The puck hit him on the upper left arm and bounced into the net. Draisaitl picked up the assist and his second point of the game.
Germany almost got another less than a minute later as they raised their game and played with more speed and a sense of urgency.
"We gave them a bunch of easy chances, especially in the third." Madsen said. "Freddy was good in the net. It was a tight game. It went back and forth."
Nicklas Jensen had a glorious opportunity to re-establish a lead. Credit to Peter Regin who did the hard work in taking on three German defenders behind the net to win the puck and get a pass to Jensen who was alone in front but was stonewalled by Pielmeier.
The period wound down with Denmark carrying a 1:45 power play into the extra frame. The Danes continued to move the puck around and collapsed the German shorthanded box but still could not convert.
In the shootout, Frans Nielsen scored in the second round and Andersen stopped all five shots he faced.
Today’s result gives Denmark a great start to the tournament. This was a game they needed as the top deck of the group is stacked with Canada, Finland and the United States. If there is a chance to move into the round of eight- although there is still a lot of hockey to play- these are the games Denmark must win.
A second Danish power play in the middle period was highlighted by quick puck movement and shots on goal. Denmark charged the net again as Jesper Jensen had two chances to get his second goal of the game. Then as time was winding down on the penalty, Nichlas Hardt beat two German defenders to the puck sending a blind backhand pass in front. Frederik Storm the puck and scored an uncontested goal.
Denmark was surging by the third period and it would appear their confidence had grown considerably since the start of the game. Still, it was a 2-1 game and plenty of chances for Germany to bounce back.
With 9:17 remaining in the game, Ehliz sent a shot on goal that Andersen could not handle. The puck hit him on the upper left arm and bounced into the net. Draisaitl picked up the assist and his second point of the game.
Germany almost got another less than a minute later as they raised their game and played with more speed and a sense of urgency.
"We gave them a bunch of easy chances, especially in the third." Madsen said. "Freddy was good in the net. It was a tight game. It went back and forth."
Nicklas Jensen had a glorious opportunity to re-establish a lead. Credit to Peter Regin who did the hard work in taking on three German defenders behind the net to win the puck and get a pass to Jensen who was alone in front but was stonewalled by Pielmeier.
The period wound down with Denmark carrying a 1:45 power play into the extra frame. The Danes continued to move the puck around and collapsed the German shorthanded box but still could not convert.
In the shootout, Frans Nielsen scored in the second round and Andersen stopped all five shots he faced.
Today’s result gives Denmark a great start to the tournament. This was a game they needed as the top deck of the group is stacked with Canada, Finland and the United States. If there is a chance to move into the round of eight- although there is still a lot of hockey to play- these are the games Denmark must win.
Every year we dream of doing something big, and this year is no different.
"We knew this was going to be one of the key games. They won a silver medal at the Olympics, so we knew they were a good team. It's a good win, but 24 hours from now we play the U.S., so hopefully we get some points from that game as well," an emotional Morten Madsen said.
On this night, the pride of the entire country could be felt when the Danish flag was raised and the national anthem played. Tonight, they are heroes.
On this night, the pride of the entire country could be felt when the Danish flag was raised and the national anthem played. Tonight, they are heroes.
Germany vs. Denmark
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