MILAN — Denmark’s veteran netminder Frederik Andersen will sit out the Group C preliminary game against the United States on Saturday, coach Mikael Gath announced after Friday’s practice. “I’m not going to start Andersen tomorrow,” Gath told NHL.com, confirming the decision that will shape Denmark’s short‑window Olympic schedule.
The matchup, slated for 3:10 p.m. ET (9:10 p.m. Local time) at Santagiulia Arena, pits the Danes against a top‑seeded U.S. Squad. Denmark will travel to Rho Arena the following night for a 7:10 p.m. Local start against Latvia. With three goaltenders on the roster, Gath said the coaching staff opted to preserve Andersen for the “more winnable” Latvia game rather than expose him to a likely defeat against the Americans.
Why the No‑Start Decision Matters
Denmark entered the tournament with a 3‑1 loss to Germany on Thursday, a game played at Rho Arena where Andersen recorded 23 saves. The defeat left Denmark with a regulation loss, matching Latvia’s record, while Germany and the United States each sit atop Group C with a regulation win.
“We have a awful schedule,” Gath explained. “We’re playing 9 o’clock against U.S., and then we play early against Latvia the day after, and we have three good goalies.” By resting Andersen, Denmark hopes to keep the veteran fresh for the Sunday showdown, which could be decisive for seeding ahead of the single‑elimination phase.
Group C Landscape and Olympic Format
The Olympic men’s ice‑hockey tournament features 12 teams divided into three groups of four. Each team plays three preliminary games within its group. The winners of the three groups plus the best second‑place finisher earn byes into the quarterfinals. the remaining eight teams compete in a qualification round to fill the final four quarterfinal slots.
In Group C, the United States and Germany currently share the lead, each with a regulation win. Denmark and Latvia sit at the bottom with a single regulation loss each. The outcome of Denmark’s game against the United States will not affect the group leader but could influence the overall ranking for the qualification round, especially if Denmark manages to keep the score close.
Coach Gath’s Tactical Outlook
Gath’s decision reflects a broader strategic calculus common in short‑format tournaments. By deploying a backup netminder against a superior opponent, Denmark can mitigate the risk of fatigue or injury to its starter, preserving Andersen’s readiness for a game where a win is more plausible. The coaching staff has three “good goalies,” according to Gath, providing flexibility in the rotation.
While the exact backup who will guard the net on Saturday has not been disclosed, Gath’s comments suggest the choice will be based on performance in practice and the ability to handle the high‑tempo U.S. Attack.
Implications for Denmark’s Olympic Hopes
If Denmark can limit the United States to a respectable margin, the team might retain morale heading into the Latvia game. A competitive showing could similarly influence the tiebreakers that determine the best second‑place finisher across all groups. Conversely, a lopsided loss could deepen the psychological gap and place additional pressure on the backup netminder and the defensive corps.
Denmark’s fans, following the game on Peacock in the United States, ICI Télé in Canada, CBC Gem, and TSN, will be watching not only the score but also how the coaching staff manages its goaltending depth under the tournament’s compressed schedule.
What’s Next for Denmark?
Saturday’s game against the United States will be the first of two back‑to‑back contests for Denmark. After the U.S. Match, the team travels across Milan to Rho Arena for the Sunday game against Latvia. The outcome of the Latvia game will determine whether Denmark advances to the qualification round or faces early elimination.
Official updates on lineups, game times, and results will be posted on the International Ice Hockey Federation’s (IIHF) Olympic portal and broadcast by the partners listed above.
Stay tuned for post‑game analysis and the next roster decision as Denmark navigates the final stretch of Group C play.
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