USA scores double digits on Denmark

27 Dec 2011 | Fredrik Pålsson

Charlie Coyle scored three goals for the USA who, as expected, won easy against Denmark on the opening day of the WJC.

With the USA being one of the gold favourites and Denmark's only goal being to avoid relegation, it was no surprise that USA defeated Denmark 11-3. When Charlie Coyle scored his first of three goals after only 24 seconds, everyone expected an easy cruise to victory for the Americans.

But the Danes played a good first period and after two power-play goals by Mathias Bau Hansen the score was "only" 3-2 for the USA. The shot total of 15-10 in favour of the Americans also showed that the Danes were a good opponent in the first period.

But in the second period the US team, who got off to somewhat of a slow start, showed their class and won the period 6-0. Nick Bjugstad opened the scoring early in the period and later the USA scored four goals in four minutes.

“We didn’t know what to expect with Denmark. We didn’t have any video on them and they came out hard in the first, but then the floodgates opened. Charlie Coyle had a great game," USA's Nick Bjugstad told the IIHF after the game.

In the third period Denmark added a third power-play goal, all of them assisted by Denmark's big star Nicklas Jensen, before the USA finished the game with two more goals.

Charlie Coyle was selected best player for the USA while Mathias Bau Hansen was selected for Denmark.

Denmark will now play the Czech Repubic in their next game, a game that they perhaps might have a chance for an upset if they can maintain their first period effort for 60 minutes. USA will play Finland in their next game.