While Denmark was unable to secure a second regulation win at the 2026 IIHF World Championship, they were still able to play a pivotal role in the final Group B standings.
Their 4-3 loss to Norway not only gives them one point in the standings, but it also kept Norway from entirely solidifying second place in Group B.
Norway vs Denmark recap
That said, the game didn't start in Denmark's favor. Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Tinus Luc Koblar got Norway on the board after just 12 minutes. Storhamar winger Andreas Martinsen recorded the primary assist on the goal, while Grand Rapids Griffins winger Michael Brandsegg-Nygard added the secondary assist for what was his first assist of the tournament.
While former San Jose Sharks winger Joachim Blichfeld levelled the score for Denmark eight minutes into the second period, the Danes would not be able to convert Blichfeld's third goal of the tournament into any momentum. Martinsen restored Norway's lead just three minutes later, with Jukurit winger Thomas Olsen and Storhamar defenseman Sander Hurrod adding the assists on the power play goal.
Koblar added his fifth goal of the tournament with just six minutes left in the middle frame, giving Norway a 3-1 lead. Jokerit defenseman Max Krogdahl and Frisk Asker defenseman Christian Kaasastul recorded the assists on Norway's third goal of the game.
Denmark would halve Norway's lead before the second period was out; Blichfeld added his second of the game on the power play, while HC Motor Ceské Budejovice forward Nick Olesen and Fischtown Pinguins defenseman Phillip Bruggisser recorded the respective primary and secondary assists.
With just two seconds left in the game, former Edmonton Oilers winger Patrick Russell recorded his fourth goal of the tournament to bring Denmark level. JYP forward Alexander True recorded his first assist of the tournament on the goal, while Skelleftea AIK forward Mikkel Aagaard added the secondary assist, bringing his assist total to five.
But with just thirteen seconds gone in the overtime period, Brandsegg-Nygard would give Norway the win. Hurrod and Linkoping HC forward Eskild Bakke Olsen added the two assists on Norway's game-winning goal.
Relevant statistics and facts
Norway outshot Denmark by a mere 26-21 margin. Norway won the shots on goal count in the first and second periods, while Denmark won the third period by an 8-4 margin.
Alongside his assist, Bruggisser recorded a total of seven shots on goal.
Esbjerg Energy goaltender Nicolaj Henriksen was in net for Denmark, recording 22 saves for a .846 save percentage. Straubing Tigers netminder Henrik Haukeland recorded the win for Norway, posting 18 saves and a .857 save percentage.
What's next?
Denmark's 2026 IIHF World Championship campaign will end in the preliminary round. They will finish the tournament with a 1-1-1-4 record (wins - overtime wins - overtime losses - losses), good for sixth place in Group B.
Norway will finish the preliminary round of the 2026 World Championship with a 4-1-1-1 record, putting them in second place and five points behind Canada. While Norway's overtime win meant that they had to wait for the outcome of the Canada-Czechia game to learn their quarterfinal seeding, Czechia's 3-2 loss to Canada ensured that Norway's group stage standing remained unchanged.
Norway will take on Latvia in the quarterfinal round, with puck drop set to take place at 2:20 P.M. Eastern Time.
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