Olympics: Czechia Advances Past Denmark in Qualification Round

Czechia used a three-goal burst in the second period to secure a 3–2 Qualification Round win over Denmark at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Tuesday.

Lukas Dostal earned the win for Czechia, while Frederik Andersen made 27 saves in a strong effort for Denmark.

Lineups

Czechia

Nečas – Kämpf – Chlapík
Pastrňák – Sedlák – Červenka
Kaše – Hertl – Palát
Stránský – Tomášek – Flek

Hronek – Šimek
Gudas – Kempný
Rutta – Špaček
Ticháček

Goaltenders: Dostal, Vladař

Denmark

Ehlers – Russell – Bjorkstrand
Poulsen – Eller – Jensen (N.)
Aagaard – Fisker Mølgaard – Olesen
Wejse – True – Blichfeld

Lassen – Jensen (J.)
Setkov – Jensen (Nich.)
Bruggisser – Lauridsen (O.)

Goaltenders: Andersen, Sogaard

First Period

The opening frame featured disciplined structure and limited high-danger chances from both sides. Jan Rutta was assessed a holding-the-stick minor at 7:06, giving Denmark the first power play opportunity of the game. Czechia’s penalty kill remained compact and cleared traffic effectively in front of Dostal.

Denmark later took a tripping penalty at 17:54, but Czechia was unable to convert before the horn sounded.

The period ended scoreless.

First Period Stats

Shots: CZE 8 | DEN 9
Saves: Dostal 9 | Andersen 8
Power Plays: CZE 0/1 | DEN 0/1
Penalty Minutes: CZE 2 | DEN 2

Second Period

The game opened up dramatically in the middle frame. Denmark’s Lars Eller was called for high-sticking at 24:03, and Czechia capitalized on the ensuing power play.

Goal (25:39, 2nd – CZE | PP1) Martin Nečas
Assists: Filip Hronek, Roman Červenka

Czechia took a 1–0 lead.

Denmark answered within less than four minutes.

Goal (29:02, 2nd – DEN | EQ) Alexander True
Assist: Joachim Blichfeld

Czechia responded immediately with two goals in just over a minute to regain control.

Goal (30:15, 2nd – CZE | EQ) David Kämpf
Assists: Jan Rutta, Martin Nečas

Goal (31:24, 2nd – CZE | EQ) Roman Červenka
Assist: David Pastrňák

The rapid sequence gave Czechia a 3–1 cushion.

Tomas Hertl was called for tripping at 35:21, and Denmark converted on the power play.

Goal (37:12, 2nd – DEN | PP1) Nick Olesen
Assists: Oscar Moelgaard, Joachim Blichfeld

Denmark had cut the deficit to one before the intermission.

Second Period Stats

Shots: CZE 20 | DEN 8
Saves: Dostal 7 | Andersen 17
Power Plays: CZE 1/2 | DEN 1/2
Penalty Minutes: CZE 2 | DEN 2

Third Period

The final period tightened defensively. Radko Gudas was called for interference on a goalkeeper at 48:13, followed by an elbowing minor to Tomas Hertl at 51:31. Denmark applied pressure during both power plays but could not solve Dostal.

Frederik Andersen was pulled at 58:08 for the extra attacker as Denmark pressed six-on-five in the closing minutes. Despite some great looks on the net by Denmark, Czechia held firm to secure the 3–2 victory.

Third Period Stats

Shots: CZE 5 | DEN 12
Saves: Dostal 12 | Andersen 5
Power Plays: CZE 0/0 | DEN 0/2
Penalty Minutes: CZE 4 | DEN 0

Czechia 3, Denmark 2

Final Game Stats

Shots on Goal:
Czechia 33
Denmark 29

Power Play:
Czechia 1-for-2
Denmark 1-for-4

Goaltenders:
Lukas Dostal – 27 saves on 29 shots
Frederik Andersen – 30 saves on 33 shots

Game Summary

Czechia’s explosive six-minute stretch in the second period proved to be the difference. After surrendering the equalizer, Czechia responded with back-to-back even-strength goals, only for Denmark to answer on the power play.

The third period turned into a defensive battle, with Denmark generating 12 shots and pushing hard late with the extra attacker. Dostal’s steadiness under pressure preserved the one-goal margin.

Special teams were evenly matched on the scoreboard, but Czechia’s ability to generate sustained offensive zone time in the second period ultimately separated the two sides.

Czechia advances in the Qualification Round and will face Canada in the quarterfinal tomorrow. Denmark’s Olympic run comes to an end.