In a stunning upset at the ice hockey world championships, Denmark’s Nick Olesen scored the decisive goal with just 49 seconds left on the clock, leading his team to a thrilling 2-1 victory over Canada. This remarkable win marks Denmark’s first time advancing to the semifinals of the tournament, sparking jubilation among players and fans alike.
Olesen, overwhelmed by the moment, expressed his disbelief: “I have no words, it’s unbelievable. The fans here were cheering for us the whole game, and they helped us get the win. It’s crazy.” The energy in the sold-out arena in Herning fueled the Danish team as they fought against a formidable Canadian opponent.
Denmark’s path to victory was not without its challenges. After being outshot 30-11 in the first two periods, the Danes found themselves down 1-0 when Canada’s captain, Sidney Crosby, assisted teammate Travis Sanheim 5:17 into the third period, sending a shot to the roof of the net. However, Denmark’s resilience shone through in the closing minutes as they pulled their goaltender, Frederik Dichow, for an extra attacker. The calculated risk paid off when Nikolaj Ehlers, playing in just his second game of the tournament after his NHL team, the Winnipeg Jets, was eliminated from the playoffs, scored the equalizer with 2:17 left on the clock, creating a roaring atmosphere among the fans.
Despite managing to take a lead, Canada’s inability to capitalize on their multitude of chances became their downfall. Goaltender Frederik Dichow was spectacular throughout the match, making an impressive 39 saves, staving off numerous Canadian attempts to increase their score. Crosby, reflecting on the defeat, remarked, “I’m disappointed. We got better as the tournament went on. I don’t think tonight was necessarily our best, but we still found a way to give ourselves a lead … but it turned pretty quick.”
For Canada, a nation known for its dominance in ice hockey with 28 world championships, this loss is particularly painful. Having finished empty-handed in their last two attempts, their hopes of reclaiming glory ended abruptly at the hands of a determined Danish team. This victory marks only the second time Denmark has beaten Canada at the world championships, a testament to their growth in the sport.
Looking ahead, Denmark will compete against Switzerland in the semifinals, while the United States is set to face Sweden. Earlier in the day, the U.S. secured their place by defeating Finland 5-2, with Conor Garland shining, scoring two power-play goals. The Americans managed to rebound after trailing 2-1 in the middle period, illustrating the depth and resilience of their squad under head coach Ryan Warsofsky.
As the semifinals approach, excitement builds among teams and fans alike, with Denmark’s historic run alongside the strong presence of teams like the U.S. and Sweden reflecting the dynamic nature of this year’s tournament. After beating defending champions Czechia 5-2, Sweden will aim to continue their success on home ice, while Switzerland advanced with an impressive 6-0 victory over Austria.
