On May 1st 2012 Denmark faced Italy in a prelimenary warm-up game. It was a match made all the more important by the fact that both teams would later face each other at the group stage of the World Championships. It was the strongest line-up ever assembled by a Danish team. The game was played in Rødovre, Denmark in front of 3500 enthusiastic fans and I was happy to be among them

Among the players in the Danish line-up were New York Islander Frans Nielsen, Montreal Canadadien Lars Eller, Dallas Star Philip Larsen, Vancouver Canuck Jannik Hansen and Carolina Hurricanes prospect Frederik Andersen. The team was captained by veteran centre Morten Green

Frans Nielsen and Philip Larsen were the best players for the Danes with Nielsen dominating the game along with his Nichlas hardt and Lars Eller on the first line and Larsen showcasing a large amount of his technical skill. The Italians were unable to match the pace and skill of the Danes initially and fell behind 2-0 in the first 5 minutes of the game. Unfortunately, the early lead lead the Danes to slow down their play significantly.This resulted in a number of defensive lapses and mistakes, which netted a goal for the Italians. The goal was scored by Giulio Scandella on a rush. Scandella proved to be a consistent threat throughout the game through the use of his speed. Five minutes later Denmark was up 3-1 and the Nielsen line heavily controlled the play for the rest of the period.

The second period had greater parity between the teams with Denmark markedly slowing down their play once again, which let the Italians back into the game with another goal on a lucky bounce. Denmark struggled to recover their play but managed to do so by the time the third period rolled around. They extended their lead to 4-2 and closed out the game easily. Once again the most formidable weapon in the arsenal of the Danes proved to be their power play, which was at a remarkable 100% and 3 for 3 on the night. Frans Nielsen was named the Danish and MVP and Giulio Scandella was named the MVP for Italy. All in all, it was a great night of hockey. Unfortunately, it was also tinged with a hint of sadness as veteran blueliner 44-year old Jesper Duus, who played 15 World Championships in red and white, finalised his retirement and was given a standing ovation and commendations by the Danish Ice Hockey Federation. Furthermore, Danish forward Mads Christensen was forced to cancel his appearance at the World Championships as he suffered a massive head trauma Sunday night. The cause is still unknown, though it is believed to have been a heavy migraine spell.

On a happier note, however, the Danish women's national hockey team also made a stop during the first intermission to receive flowers and an ovation as an appreciation for winning gold in their international division and qualifying for the next tier of the tournament.

I managed to snap a few photos throughout the evening and have posted them below. I hope you enjoy.

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via en.khl.ru

Every year around this time, the top leagues in Europe are nearing their playoff finals. I always want to watch, but I never find a legitimate way to do it. In my experience, all I've found are very low-quality illegal streams.

Can anyone here provide suggestions for watching the KHL, Elitserien, or SM-liiga playoffs from North America? I know ESPN3 has streamed the KHL playoffs in the past, but I'm not sure they are this year. I'd even be interested in watching the smaller leagues if I could--the Czech Extraliga, Slovak Extraliga, National League A, and DEL.

http://www.iihf.com/en/home-of-hockey/news/news-singleview/recap/6557.html?tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=187&cHash=033f9d887d

KHL is moving to Prague for next season and bringing an MHL team to Karlovy Vary. I think both are positives for the Czech Republic. The MHL could be fantastic for development and keep more of the Czechs at home a little longer. The KHL can give so many Czechs playing in Europe a team to play for. I do wonder how 3 pro teams in Prague will work out though? Surprised it was allowed to happen to be honest. Still, I like the move.

By: Michelle

a contributing writer with Gold Star Games, your tailgating games company.

It seems as if Pittsburgh defenseman, Kris Letang, will be joining the ranks of Sidney Crosby, but not in a good way. Letang has been sidelined with a possible concussion. With his second possible concussion of the season, Letang is no stranger to rejoining Crosby on the sidelines.

Penguins’ head coach, Dan Bylsma has indicated that Letang has symptoms and will not be in the line-up on Saturday when the Pens take on Colorado. When the team returns from their road trip, Letang will be evaluated by concussion specialists in Pittsburgh.

This is the second time the Penguins may be losing Letang to a concussion this year. He was out with a concussion from November 26 to January 19th. Losing Letang again could be a major set-back for the Penguins, who have already played much of the year injury-stricken.

Earlier this week, Letang was checked into the end boards by Stars’ forward Vernon Fiddler has he went to play the puck behind the Penguin net half way through the first period. While turning to play the puck, Letang was clipped hard in the head by Stars’ forward, Eric Nystrom’s right arm.

Letang fell to the ice in visible discomfort and was helped to the locker room by his teammates and members of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ training staff.

Concussions seem to be a huge problem for the Pittsburgh Penguins this year. With game after game lost due to concussions, what do you think can be done about it?

I originally posted this at Silver Seven, the Ottawa Senators blog on SB Nation. I re-posted this here since this is the blog for world hockey, and it may be interesting for some readers here. Enjoy.

Tanking. The worst thing to ever happen to the NHL since Alexandre Daigle. It actually brought Alex Daigle into the Ottawa Senators history books. The mere art of tanking makes me shiver.  It's a form of losing, and losing, and more losing, e.g. Edmonton Oilers. Since the NHL introduced the lottery system rule of having the five-worst teams in the NHL made into "magic balls" and have a chance at grabbing the first overall pick in the Entry Draft, an possibly the next superstar.

I will admit, I at times was advocating the Sens to purposely lose games so they can get a better lottery position. When I think about it, it was totally wrong. The goal of an organization is to be successful, not to fail in professional games. Even if it will mean to lose a chance to get a Taylor Hall or a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, creating a losing culture around your team only increases your chances of getting "second-hand losing", like the Florida Panthers and New York Islanders (sorry to any Isles and Cats fans out there). And since I'm also a huge soccer fan (EPL and La Liga, screw MLS), it got me thinking whether or not the National Hockey League could ever endure a promotion and relegation system like in Europe.

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Just finished watching the Memorial Cup game with the West (Kootenai Ice) defeating the (East) Owen Sound Attack.

First... all teams in this junior hockey national championship deserve a huge applaud for pretty much killing themselves for the past 7 or 8 months of serious banging, crashing, travelling by bus in frigid weather etc.

THE PROBLEM IS ... the crazy sports commentators who for some reason respond with "how they THINK local markets" may want them to respond.  (HOMERS)

Doug McLean (finally got around to it) was the most factual of the panel of three... Kypryous. shame on you, and I don't even know the other guy... unbelievable post game comments!!

How do you guys spend the first 5 minutes  or more after the game explaining "what a great job and team the Owen Sound guys are"  when they lose 7-3!

I would suspect first you compliment the winning team and spend a few minutes immediately stating what they did to win, then spend a few minutes explaining your views on why the other team lost and then finish with facts about how hard the tournament and games are to win.

This week there seemed to be few comments about the back to back games Kootenai had after travelling the longest distance just to get to MIssissauga.

The players on these two teams know what happened and I bet they don't start whining to each other when they lose. There are no excuses in playoff sports.  You win or you lose.  Period.  Any whining is done privately over a bunch of beer, lots of young ladies and... maybe a couple of fights or crazy antics.

The panel needs to revisit why they are earning good money to comment on games.  I lost a lot of respect for Kypryous (yes, I probably spelled your name wrong... but I'm too lazy to check it and fix it).  Honesty and Integrity boys!  That's all people will remember you for.

OldBallz

Maybe not, but this is a guy who has had a long and different journey.

Viktor Fasth, who is he? That was probably the words you were told by the common man on the streets of any random Swedish town if you mentioned the name before the spring of 2010. Those of us who follow the SEL closely and has an eye on the lower divisions probably answered, "He's that new goalie talent in Växjö Lakers who is said to be pretty good. The few who really knew ...Yeah, those smiles are probably really big today.

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After and exciting playoffs, HIFK swept the Espoo Blues today to take home their first championship since 1998.  Each team had their hardships to reach the finals, but heading in HIFK was clearly the better team.

HIFK beat Jokerit in 7 games in a very exciting series before beating Lukko in 5 games. 

Blues had a much harder time getting to the championship.  They had to beat Karpat in a best of 3 series requiring overtime in their two wins. They then had to face the second best team in the league Assat, winning the series in 6 games.  Their next series proved that the best team in the regular season may not always be the best team int he playoffs, as the 7 seed Blues shocked the number 1 seed JYP in 5 games. 

It was a very exciting season for HIFK that saw Ville Peltonen return to his home team, the first outdoor Finnish ice hockey game, and Mikael Granlund not miss a beat after suffering a massive concussion in December.  I just got this email from HIFK too (translated):

CHAMPIONSHIP IS OURS!

13 years of waiting has been rewarded!

Ville & frisky group of thieves to thank the fans throughout the season!
The atmosphere was incredible home in the hall!

Welcome to tomorrow 04/19/2011 at 18
Stadium championship party!

 

Can't wait to break out my HIFK Granlund gamer to celebrate!!!

New York Islanders GM Garth Snow has announced that center Frans Nielsen will not be given permission to participate for the Danish national ice hockey team in the 2011 World Championships due to the lingering effects he sustained from a check against the boards by New York Rangers winger Marian Gaborik. Nielsen's injury is the latest in a slew of injuries, which has plagued the Danish team and include other important players such as Ottawa Senators winger Peter Regin, Dallas Stars defenseman Philip Larsen, as well as local defensemen such as Mads Bech, Jesper Duus and retired captain Jesper Damgaard.

After the jump will be a description and translation of Nielsen's statements to the Danish press.

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Danish defenseman and national team captain Jesper Damgaard has finally decided to hang up his skates prior to the 2011 World Championships. At 35 years of age, Damgaard played 256 games for the national team and took part in no less than 17 World Championship tournaments. He scored 45 goals and 69 assists and was a steady, veteran presence on the blueline. His 256 games for the national team and 17 World Championship tournaments are monikers that have earned him the affectionate nickname “The Record Man” in Denmark. The 17 World Championship tournaments are a tied world record and Damgaard was looking to claim it for himself in 2011 with his 18th tournament.

The following is a minor look at the career one of the great unsung heroes of international ice hockey and a major cog in the growth of Danish ice hockey. The quotes are taken from press releases as well as the Associated Press.

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