GDT: 2018 WJC • Game 26 • Relegation: BLR (2) - DEN (3) F/SO

[Satans Hockey]

Denmark won in a shootout to win the series and Belarus gets regulated.

 

[fredligh]

Relegated?

 

[Bagge]

 

[garbageteam]

Denmark will be in the World Juniors for 5 competitions in a row next year, which is good for their program's stability. With Kazakhstan being next year's relegation fodder, though it's early days, the smart money might be on Denmark to make it six.

Sucks for Belarus who really brought it this year in the group stages though. They played competitively.

 

[Quonis]

Excellent!

 

[Bagge]

Without doubt the weakest NT Denmark has had in the last decade. More talent coming up, but the next Ehlers is at least 3 years away. Expected to get relegated this year so overall Im very satisfied.

 

[kabidjan18]

Without doubt the weakest NT Denmark has had in the last decade. More talent coming up, but the next Ehlers is at least 3 years away. Expected to get relegated this year so overall Im very satisfied.

What talent us coming up? Who should we look for next year?

 

[Sofaw]

What talent us coming up? Who should we look for next year?

Maybe not next year but within 3-4 years; Marcus Almquist.

 

[Sofaw]

Without doubt the weakest NT Denmark has had in the last decade. More talent coming up, but the next Ehlers is at least 3 years away. Expected to get relegated this year so overall Im very satisfied.

I had the same feeling. Actually the team could be better next year due to the many returning 1999 class players from this year The defence looks good for next year, but perhaps we will lack a bit of high end firepower.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

I had a sneaking suspicion they were going to avoid relegation. They didn't look great in pool play but they also played in a much more difficult group.

 

[Appleyard]

I had the same feeling. Actually the team could be better next year due to the many returning 1999 class players from this year The defence looks good for next year, but perhaps we will lack a bit of high end firepower.

Phillip Schultz is a guy I look at and think he could step up into a big offensive role.

I am not sure he will be drafted... but he should be.

 

[kabidjan18]

I had a sneaking suspicion that Belarus was going to have a hard time making up ~2cm and ~2.5 kg. They were more skilled but...it happens.

 

[AstrophysicalJet]

I had a sneaking suspicion that Belarus was going to have a hard time making up ~2cm and ~2.5 kg. They were more skilled but...it happens.

For sure!

All my money was on Denmark being relegated, pretty bad team they had.

Nice suprise.

 

[Hemsky001]

I guess the last minute of the first game will be their pain in the *** for a long time.

 

[Canada4Gold]

Have a soft spot for Denmark so I'm happy they're back next year. Just looking at the best players from these teams however it's probably unfortunate for the tournament next year as it appears Belarus may be stronger than Denmark next year with only Rondberg back from Denmark's best guys while Shusko, Yeryomenko, Martynov, Drozdov etc could be back for Belarus. With Kazakhstan looking rather weak next year as well the likely group stage result will probably see Denmark v. Kazakhstan in relegation pretty easily. But we'll see how they develop in the next year, hopefully Denmark puts a scare into someone again.

 

[Zippgunn]

It's a real shame TSN would rather show a repeat of a dumb QF than show two nations fighting for their place in the tournament.

I know, it drives me nuts. REAL hockey fans want to watch these games...

 

[kabidjan18]

Have a soft spot for Denmark so I'm happy they're back next year. Just looking at the best players from these teams however it's probably unfortunate for the tournament next year as it appears Belarus may be stronger than Denmark next year with only Rondberg back from Denmark's best guys while Shusko, Yeryomenko, Martynov, Drozdov etc could be back for Belarus. With Kazakhstan looking rather weak next year as well the likely group stage result will probably see Denmark v. Kazakhstan in relegation pretty easily. But we'll see how they develop in the next year, hopefully Denmark puts a scare into someone again.

They also return Malte Setkov. They'll maybe add a guy named Brondberg too, he's like Rondberg but with the B which indicates he's a real bro in Danish.

Next year's D1A will be extremely competitive, and a hell of a lot of fun to watch.

 

[Bagge]

What talent us coming up? Who should we look for next year?

Marcus Almiquist is, as Sofaw mentioned, the one I was thinking about. Just had his debut on the Malmö Elit-u18 team at the age of 14 and has 3 points in two games despite only being 5´2" at the moment Apparently he was too good for their U16 team. Comparing to Ehlers stat wise at that age, he even surpasses him.

 

[Aaaaaaaaaaaaa]

I was blown away when TSN was talking about how Denmark only has 16 covered sheets of ice in the entire country. Is that true? I could drive less than an hour and find at least double that and I live in the middle of one of the lowest populated areas in southern Canada. That's an incredible stat, if true, and actually a real credit to the Danish system to be able to produce competitive teams with so few rinks.

 

[WaW]

I'm happy Denmark stayed up. I want them and the Swiss to continue improving for the sake of strengthening international hockey.

 

[Bagge]

I was blown away when TSN was talking about how Denmark only has 16 covered sheets of ice in the entire country. Is that true? I could drive less than an hour and find at least double that and I live in the middle of one of the lowest populated areas in southern Canada. That's an incredible stat, if true, and actually a real credit to the Danish system to be able to produce competitive teams with so few rinks.

I think we have 26 rinks in the country, but what they probably are referring to are the number of places where there are a rink. Most teams in the best league has two rinks to meet the demands for icetime for all the youth that wants to play. Many rural towns with a population above 50k doesnt have some ice to skate on, resulting in that it is limited for the few that lives in proximity to a rink. Or with some parents that are willing and have the capability to drive their kids. As it is now, there are youngsters on waitinglists just to start playing, but the local governments has limited cash to spend, so it will often be a choice between a rink or maybe a multisport arena where you can play a larger variety of sports.

My hope has always been that Denmark comes out strong on home ice in may when the WCH is being played. Maybe there will be some mayors asking themselves why their city doesnt have a rink or maybe a public demand that more kids should be able to play.

 

[LickTheEnvelope]

Pretty impressed with the Danes taking this TBH. Good on them.

 

[Aaaaaaaaaaaaa]

I think we have 26 rinks in the country, but what they probably are referring to are the number of places where there are a rink. Most teams in the best league has two rinks to meet the demands for icetime for all the youth that wants to play. Many rural towns with a population above 50k doesnt have some ice to skate on, resulting in that it is limited for the few that lives in proximity to a rink. Or with some parents that are willing and have the capability to drive their kids. As it is now, there are youngsters on waitinglists just to start playing, but the local governments has limited cash to spend, so it will often be a choice between a rink or maybe a multisport arena where you can play a larger variety of sports.

My hope has always been that Denmark comes out strong on home ice in may when the WCH is being played. Maybe there will be some mayors asking themselves why their city doesnt have a rink or maybe a public demand that more kids should be able to play.

Thanks for the information.

My great-grandfather was from Denmark, so I always think fondly of your country, and I hope to visit there some day.

 

[Scouter]

I had a sneaking suspicion they were going to avoid relegation. They didn't look great in pool play but they also played in a much more difficult group.

Slovakia wasn't much more difficult.

 

[Scouter]

Denmark are a rising hockey nation, it's good that they stay in the top, with their roster maybe should not have even played rele, next year looks to be tough for them though, have to beat the Swiss which will be better, but good news is if they play rele again it will likely be Kazak, which should be easier than this year, it looks like that 9 teams are set for the foreseeable future in the top though with a promoted team rotating.

As for Belarus, really tough losses here, good news is they will have most of their best players returning next year, so them getting promoted again is quite likely.