Denmark has been a mainstay in the elite division of the IIHF World Championship since 2003. On home ice, they aim to replicate their quarterfinal runs from the 2010 and 2016 Worlds, as well as the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
Kazakhstan vs Denmark (ice hockey): Hosts Eager for First Points
Both teams had plenty at stake going into the game. Kazakhstan came in after a mixed start – a win over Norway, a solid effort against Germany, and a surprising loss to Hungary. Denmark, still without a point after three games, were desperate to deliver on home ice.
Denmark Holds Firm After Early Pressure From Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan started strong, looking to bounce back from their previous stumble. In the opening period, they allowed the hosts almost nothing and earned three power plays. Despite generating several promising chances, they couldn’t beat goaltender Frederik Dichow.
🔎 Kazakhstan’s 2025 Worlds campaign is over
– CLICK HERE for the full analysis!
Denmark Strikes Twice in Middle Frame to Take Control
After a scoreless first period, it was the home team who broke through. Mikkel Aagaard, the 29-year-old sniper from Sweden’s MoDo Hockey, converted a pass from Joachim Blichfeld.
In the 33rd minute, Denmark capitalized on a power play just seconds in, with Alexander True finishing off a slick passing play set up by Patrick Russell.
Mikhailis Gets One Back With Spectacular Baseball Swing
The third period began with Denmark leading 2–0. Just like in the game against Hungary, it was Nikita Mikhailis – the star forward from Metallurg Magnitogorsk – who cut the deficit to 2–1.
Mikhailis, who’s been in fine form at the Worlds, once again led the charge, though no other Kazakh forwards have joined him on the scoresheet. He beat Frederik Dichow with a spectacular baseball-style finish after a clever lob pass from Roman Starchenko.
Wejse Converts Power Play as Denmark Restores Two-Goal Lead
Just as Kazakhstan seemed poised to make things difficult for the hosts, Tamirlan Gaitamirov took a costly penalty. Denmark made them pay, as Christian Wejse – who plays his club hockey in Germany’s DEL – capitalized on the man advantage to restore the two-goal cushion.
Late Collapse Seals Heavy Defeat for Kazakhstan
At that point, Kazakhstan’s structure completely fell apart. Just 20 seconds later, they left Alexander True unchecked, and he made no mistake on a breakaway to notch his second goal of the game and make it 4–1.
Nick Olesen added the fifth into an empty net in the final seconds. Over 10,000 fans in Herning’s Jyske Bank Boxen erupted in celebration as Denmark secured their first win of the World Championship.
🏒 Team Kazakhstan Preview – 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Worlds
Tough Challenge Ahead for Kazakhstan After Two-Day Break
Kazakhstan now has two days to regroup and recover. The reigning Asian champions will look to reset mentally before facing one of the toughest opponents in the group. On Saturday, May 17 at 16:20 local time, they take on the defending world champions – Czechia.
Goals: 46:33 Mikhailis (Starchenko, Metalnikov) – 24:20 Aagaard (Blichfeld, Koch), 32:57 True (Russell, Jensen), 50:08 Wejse (Olesen, Blichfeld), 50:28 True (M. Lauridsen), 59:53 Olesen
Kazakhstan: Pavlenko – Daniyar, Beketayev, Orekhov, Breus, Metalnikov, Korolyov, Gaitamirov – Assetov, Likhotnikov, Panyukov, Mikhailis, Shestakov, Starchenko, Savitskiy, Volkov, Rymarev, Muratov, Mukhametov, Kaiyrzhan, Kolesnikov. Coach: Oleg Bolyakin.
Denmark: Dichhow – Jensen Aabo, Bruggisser, O. Lauridsen, Koch, Lassen, M. Lauridsen – Jensen, Russell, Olesen, Aagaard, Moelgaard, Blichfeld, Poulsen, True, Bau, From, Wejse, Scheel, Meyer. Coach: Mikael Gath.
Spectators: 10,388
Leave a Reply