Playing poised hockey before a loud and raucous home crowd, Denmark skated to an inspired and impressive 3-0 victory over Norway in a critical Group B game this afternoon in Herning.

All goals came on the power play. Forward Nicklas Jensen, playing the point on the PP, led the attack with two goals.

Goaltender Fredrik Andersen was tested several times, blocking all 21 shots for
the shutout.

"We're playing good hockey," said assistant captain Frans Nielsen. "We knew we had a good team. We're not perfect, but Freddy has been great for us back there
as well when we've had breakdowns. We've done a good job so far, played some tight games which are exciting for fans to watch. We couldn't have asked for much more than this right now. It's been a joy."

Denmark now has eight points and sits in fourth place in the group while Norway
remains stalled in seventh place with three points, ahead of only Korea.

The Danes are right back at it, playing Korea tomorrow, while Norway has a day off before another tough test in the U.S. on Sunday.

"We've put ourselves in a good position right now," Nielsen continued, "but we have another game coming up tomorrow that we have to focus on. I know we're the
favourites, but it's not going to be easy."

Denmark had a nervous start, but goalie Fredrik Andersen helped settle the team's collective nerves with a nice save off an early chance in close by Tobias Lindstrom. Indeed, that shot was one of only two in the period for Norway.

The tense play finally opened after Norway took a late penalty, and Denmark's power play converted. After some good puck movement, Nicklas Jensen beat Haukeland with a snap shot while Patrick Russell did a masterful job screening
the goalie in front.

The Danes almost made in 2-0 early in the second while short-handed. Frans Nielsen made a nice steal of the puck inside his blue line and dashed the length of the ice, only to be stopped by Haukeland on a deke.

Undaunted, Demnark continued to control play and were rewarded with another power play. Jesne scored again on a very similar play, blasting a shot through traffic that found the short side at 6:17, sending the fans into a frenzy.

They scored again with an extra man seven and a half minutes later, this time on a nice pass and re-direct in front, Mikkel Boedker executing the former, and
Frederik Storm putting it in to give the home side a commanding 3-0 lead.

Andersen kept the Norwegians off the score sheet with two great saves late in the period. First, he denied Eirik Salsten on a chance from in close, and soon after he made a nice pad save on a Norway power play.

ANDREW PODNIEKS

http://https://www.new-iihf.com/en/events/2018/wm/news/2757/denmark-into-playoff-picture
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