Denmark beats Slovakia in a group C leader battle. – 06.12.2016

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Morning game in the Arena Riga was hosted between Slovakia and Denmark to find out who would win group C, as both were already qualified for the play-offs. Denmark came out as a winner. 2-5. (0-0, 0-2, 2-4).

First period was off to a slow start both teams scouting each other and playing a defensive game. Uneventful first period up until 13:33, when Denmark got a two-minute penalty and the Slovaks got their first powerplay of the game. Danish defense worked out well and when the teams headed for the locker rooms, the score remained unchanged - 0-0 after twenty minutes.

The action began 20 seconds into the second period as Denmark landed their first goal of the game, putting them up by one.  That was enough to boost their confidence as they switched to an offensive mind-set and started throwing everything at Slovakia´s net, while opposing side played a very well organized defense. Mid-point of the game and it was all equal out on the field, then Denmark earned their power-play. 25 seconds into the one man advantage they managed to extend their lead with a shot from the left side. To round off the period Denmark took a two minute penalty that transferred into the third period.

The last period began with a penalty kill that was successful, but allowed Slovaks to control the game. Didn´t take long for Denmark to make sure it´s a very close game on the floor, despite the fact that they were up 0-2,  score soon became 0-3 and even 0-4. They added another one to score three goals within five minutes. The way game was shaping up towards the end, it was clear that all the Slovaks could do is fight for a honorary goal to permit Denmark´s goalie from getting a shutout. Danish shutout streak in this game was meant to end and it did, Slovakia finally got one past opposing goalie.  Both teams will advance further in the tournament.