Denmark clinches Olympic berth with 4-1 victory over Norway

Denmark - Norway 4-1

Norway delivered a stunning start to the game, scoring just 26 seconds into the first period. Mats Zuccarello Aasen capitalized on a rebound after Frederik Andersen's save, giving Norway an early 1-0 lead. The Danish team took a few minutes to recover from the shock but gradually began to find their rhythm, creating a few decent scoring opportunities. Despite these efforts, Denmark struggled to break through Norway's defense and ended the period trailing. The shot count reflected Norway’s dominance, as they outshot Denmark 12-9.

The second period was a turning point for Denmark, filled with high-paced action and physical play. The period saw nine penalties, with both teams testing each other's resolve through aggressive power plays. Frederik Andersen was instrumental in keeping Denmark in the game, making crucial saves, especially during a particularly dangerous power play for Norway, where Patrick Thoresen was denied a sure goal.

Denmark's perseverance paid off in the final minutes of the period. At 36:04, Nicklas Jensen, with assists from Lars Eller and Markus Holton Lauridsen, leveled the score with a powerful wrist shot from the slot. Just under two minutes later, Denmark capitalized on a power play, as Jensen again found the back of the net, this time assisted by Nikolaj Ehlers, giving Denmark a 2-1 lead heading into the third period.

Denmark entered the third period with momentum clearly on their side, dominating the early stages and keeping Norway on the defensive. Norway's attempts to rally were met with solid resistance, and as the period wore on, Denmark continued to press.

At 56:31, Patrick Russell extended Denmark's lead to 3-1, following a brilliant setup by Nikolaj Ehlers and Matias Lassen. Norway responded by pulling their goaltender, Henrik Haukeland, in favor of an extra skater with just over two minutes remaining. However, this gamble backfired, as Russell scored his second goal of the game into an empty net at 58:33, sealing Denmark's 4-1 victory.

Denmark’s victory over Norway was a testament to their resilience and ability to capitalize on key opportunities. After a rocky start, they managed to turn the game around with strategic plays and solid teamwork. This win not only secured their spot in the 2026 Winter Olympics but also highlighted their growing prowess on the international stage. For Norway, despite their strong start, the loss marks the end of their Olympic qualification hopes, as they were unable to maintain their early momentum against a determined Danish side.

Denmark will now look ahead to Torino 2026, carrying the confidence of this hard-fought victory into the Olympic competition.

Great Britain - Japan 3-2

In a spirited but ultimately inconsequential match at the Gigantium Isarena, Great Britain edged out Japan 3-2 in their final game of the Olympic Qualifiers. Both teams entered the game without a chance to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics, but that did not dampen the intensity or the desire to finish the tournament on a high note.

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