The quarter-finals of the IIHF Men’s World Hockey Championship are set to unfold Thursday, showcasing the co-hosts Denmark and Sweden, both vying for a place in the semifinals on home turf.
Denmark has made a significant comeback, reaching the knockout stage for the first time since 2016 after a nail-biting 2-1 shootout victory against Germany on Tuesday. They secured this position after a series of three consecutive wins leading up to the do-or-die encounter, with a standout performance from Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers, who scored the pivotal goal that tied the game in the third period. Ehlers expressed pride in his team’s resilience and ability to stay focused throughout the match.
Denmark now faces Team Canada, which ended the preliminary round with an impressive record of 6-0-1. Their only setback came against Finland in a shootout, demonstrating Canada’s dominance with a staggering goal differential of 34-7 throughout the round-robin phase. Canada boasts some of the tournament’s top scorers, including Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby, both seasoned veterans looking to add to their international accolades.
Additionally, Sweden, finishing as Group A’s runner-up, will compete against Czechia, who led the tournament in goals scored. Sweden has bolstered its lineup with Toronto Maple Leafs star William Nylander for the knockout round, adding an extra layer of talent as they aim for success.
In the other quarter-final battle, Finland prepares for a heavyweight clash against Team USA. Finland was the only team to defeat Canada in the group stages and finished third in Group B. Meanwhile, the Americans secured second place with an overall record of 6-1-0, gearing up with confidence after a significant win against Czechia.
For Switzerland, they have established themselves as a formidable force, winning their group with a shutout victory against Team USA and only suffering one loss in the tournament. They will face Austria, which has reached the quarter-finals for the first time since 1994 by clinching key victories in the group stages.
The excitement is palpable, with live coverage available for all match-ups on TSN, TSN.ca, and the TSN App. The anticipation builds not just for the teams, but for fans witnessing their countries battle for the world title in this prestigious tournament.