Canada edges Denmark

5 577 spectators came to see Canada play Denmark in the Ericsson Globe. Canada who has a team filled of NHL stars were slow started and Denmark took advantage of an early powe play to take the lead 1-0 when Morten Green was allowed to skate between the  Canadian defenders and lift in a backhand shot. Canada's coach Lindy Ruff can't be pleased with the defending on that goal. "The old backhand still works", Green said about his goal.

Denmark celebrates 1-0 Photo: Michal Eger

It was a very close first period and the Danes showed great work ethic against a team that is much better on paper. Mikkel Bødker got a great chance for 2-0 when he was clear on a two on one shorthanded counter attack but he both his attempts were saved by Devan Dubnyk. Seconds later Canada had their best chance when Claude Giroux hit the post.

"Off course they were the better team, if we have are going to have a chance we have to make it 2-0 when we have the chance", Green said about the missed chances. "The birthday boy made some great saves for us", coach Ruff commented on his goalie also saying that they haven't chosen who will be their number one goalie yet and that Mike Smith will start against Switzerland.

The birthday boy in action. Photo: Michal Eger

The second period continued at the first, even play with power plays shifting the momentum. Denmark was extremely close to 2-0 after a great power play but Morten Madsen failed to score on the open net as he hit the post. But halfway through the period Matt Duchene made a great individual move whenscored the equalizer for Canada almost going a full circle around the net before lifting a backhand into the net.

Madsen hits the post! Photo: Michal Eger

Soon after the goal Denmark got their third penalty of the period and Canada's perhaps most shining star Steven Stamkos scored his first goal of the tournament on the power play. After the goal it felt like Canada had more control of the game but Denmark was dangerous with their quick counter attacks.

The Canadian goals and all hard work killing penalties made Denmark lost energy and in the third period Canada felt in full control. Matt Duchene made another great move, moving the puck into offensive zone with some great dekes passed to puck to Eberle who passed it back to Duchene who easily put it in for 3-1.

"Schenn gave me the puck and some room and I just waived my way up, I got the puck back and it was an easy finish", Duchene said about the third goal.

Denmark did a good game but didn't have the energy to go all the way against a Canadian team that was slow started but started to show some skill in the last fourty minutes.

Canada's Matt Read said "It was just one of those games where we have to find chemistry. We were a bit a slow on our heels in the first."

Coach Ruff gave Denmark credit for a good first period "Early on Denmark gave us all we could handle and was creating the better chances." But he was pleased with the way his team recovered in their opening game and added "Last 40 minutes we got our legs going and played better used our speed to draw some penalties". Penalties that Denmark's coach Per Bäckman think was decisive. But overall he was pleased with his teams effort and as forward Kim Staal said "We are not miles away".

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