STOCKHOLM – The 2012 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship will be Denmark’s 10th top division tournament. From the moment they stunned Team USA in 2003, Denmark has entered each tournament with the right balance of skill and luck that’s kept them up among the elite competition of international hockey.
Goal
Denmark carries two goaltenders who have spilt time over the past few years with the national team. Frederik Andersen spent this season backstopping Frölunda Gothenburg. In 39 games, Andersen turned in an exceptional 1.67 goals against average and seven shutouts. On the basis of his strong season alone, Andersen should earn consideration as the number one goaltender. Andersen has represented Denmark at the last two World Championships in Germany and Slovakia.
At the same time, Patrick Galbraith had some big games in 2010 for Denmark with wins against the United States and Slovakia. Galbraith spent his season stopping pucks for the Espoo Blues in Finland.
Defence
The Danish defensive corps is comprised largely of players who are in their second or third tournament ever. There’s a youth movement here that suggests Denmark is quietly rebuilding their base of talent to keep the pipeline of players coming onto the national team.
To be sure, it’s a smart move but also leads to inevitable growing pains as these players will learn through positive efforts as well as through their mistakes. Mads Bødker, Daniel Nielsen and Stefan Lassen are the most experienced members on the blueline with combined 109 games of IIHF World Championship hockey participation.
Philip Larsen, the 22-year-old Dallas Star is making his international senior men’s debut. Odense Bulldogs Michael Eskesen and Philip Hersby are back as well as Kasper and Jesper Jensen.
Forward
Longevity is a feature of Denmark’s forward lines. These players have been through World Championship competition in every way and have demonstrated ability in scoring on the elite level of international hockey.
Frans Nielsen has always been one of stars of the Danish side. Nielsen is coming off his best year with the New York Islanders where he played all 82 games and posted career highs in goals (17) and points (47). As well, he’s scored eight goals at the World Championships since joining Denmark in their first top division appearance in 2003.
Lars Eller had a breakout year with the Montreal Canadiens, including a four-goal game in January against Winnipeg. He finished the season with 16 tallies and needs to contribute here in Stockholm.
Denmark will also rely on Jannik Hansen to be involved offensively. After contributing nine points in 25 playoff games in 2011, Hansen enjoyed his best season as an NHL pro with 16 goals and 39 points this year.
Two big contributors from last year return. Nichlas Hardt scored four goals in Slovakia to help lead the way. Julian Jakobsen had five assists. Denmark has experience and depth with Morten Green, Morten Madsen still valuable members of the team.
Coaching
Per Backman has been behind the Danish bench since 2009 and is responsible for leading them to their best finish: 8th place in 2010. Backman’s players know his expectations and appear to respond to his instruction. The stability he’s provided over the past three years will no doubt help this team as they look to do well in the tournament.
Projected Results
Over the years, Denmark has gone from unknown underdogs to widely respected, albeit still underdogs. Their accomplishments at the 2010 IIHF World Championship brought them into the quarter-finals, which showed how far they had come. In Stockholm, Denmark is not only looking to compete, but to continue their ability of holding their own against the best in the world.
“We feel that we have a better team than in Germany [in 2010], when we reached the quarter-finals,” Nielsen told DR Sporten. “I think that we have been so good that we don’t have to just survive anymore, but go for the win in every game. I believe that we have the potential to reach another quarter-final and that’s what we have to fight for.”
JOHN SANFUL
|
