Frederik Andersen and Team Denmark Battle in Olympic Winter Games Thriller

Team Germany emerged victorious against Team Denmark in a compelling Group C matchup at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, held at the RHO Arena in Milan. The final score stood at 3-1, with a standout performance from Leon Draisaitl and solid goaltending from Philipp Grubauer for Germany.

Game Recap: Germany Secures a Crucial Win

Tim Stutzle led the charge for Germany with two goals, while Leon Draisaitl contributed with a goal and an assist. Philipp Grubauer was instrumental in the win, stopping an impressive 37 shots. Despite the loss, Denmark showcased a strong effort, with Oscar Fisker Molgaard scoring their lone goal and Frederik Andersen making 23 saves.

“It was a pretty late game, 9 p.m. (local start). It’s tough to find a rhythm and find your superstitions, but it was a really fun game and I’m glad we got the win,” Stutzle commented after the game. He highlighted the importance of his first goal, stating, “I think [my first goal] was a big goal, going up 2-1 after they scored, and it kind of gave the momentum back to us.”

Andersen’s Performance and Denmark’s Strategy

While the game ultimately ended in defeat for Denmark, Frederik Andersen’s performance in net was a bright spot. He faced a barrage of shots from the German offense, demonstrating his skill and resilience. Denmark’s strategy focused on limiting Leon Draisaitl’s time and space, employing a physical approach to disrupt his game.

Germany’s coach, Harold Kreis, acknowledged Denmark’s tactics, saying, “The Danes skate well and they are big guys, too. I think they were trying to take away time and space from Leon. They played him physical a couple of times, but it doesn’t bother him. It doesn’t take him off his game.”

Key Moments and Draisaitl’s Impact

Leon Draisaitl opened the scoring just 23 seconds into the first period, redirecting a pass from Frederik Tiffels past Frederik Andersen. This early goal set the tone for Germany’s offensive pressure. The connection between Draisaitl and Tiffels is particularly noteworthy, as the two have a long-standing friendship stemming from their minor hockey days in Germany. You can learn more about Draisaitl’s career on NHL.com.

Fisker Moelgaard briefly tied the game at 1-1, but Stutzle quickly restored Germany’s lead. Stutzle then extended the advantage on a power play, with a deflected shot off a Danish defenseman. Draisaitl logged significant ice time (21:46), demonstrating his importance to the German team.

Looking Ahead

Germany will next face Team Latvia on Saturday, while Denmark will take on Team USA. Both games promise to be exciting contests as the Olympic Winter Games continue. For more information on the Olympic Winter Games, visit the official Olympic website.