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HOCKEY

Denmark to hockey final eight for only second time

The world hockey championships will have a distinct Nordic flair after two-time winners Finland beat Canada 4-0 in their final Group B match in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday to end the reigning champions' 16-match winning streak at the world championship.

Published: 18 May 2016 08:59 CEST
Updated: 18 May 2016 12:32 CEST
Denmark to hockey final eight for only second time
Denmark's players celebrate a goal during the group A preliminary round game Denmark vs Kazakhstan at the 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Moscow on May 16, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / YURI KADOBNOV
Finland will now meet Denmark at Saint Petersburg's Yubileiny Arena in Thursday's early quarter-final,  marking only the second time that the Danes have made it this far at the world hockey championships. 
 
Denmark goalie Sebastian Dahm told TV2 Sport that the team's performance at this years' IIHF world championships is a sign that the Danes “have taken a step up in the global hierarchy”. 
 
“This is so huge for all of us and it is fantastic for Danish ice hockey. To get four wins in the world championships and make it to the quarter finals is unbelievable. I can hardly put words to it,” he said.
 
Denmark qualified for the quarter-finals after the Czech Republic battled back from a goal down to edge Switzerland 5-4 and seal top spot in Group A. That win, combined with Danish victories over Latvia and Kazakhstan, allowed Denmark to finish fourth in the group.
 
Now the Danes will try to stop Finland from claiming their first medal since 2014. 
 
The Finns expect a tough match on Thursday against the Danes, who managed to upset Group A winners the Czech Republic 2-1 on their way to the play-offs.
 
“Denmark are strong team,” Finland forward Aleksandr Barkov said.
 
“They have three NHL forwards in their roster. No doubts they will battle tough but we're also intending to win. I expect an interesting game.”
 
When these teams last met at the 2014 world championship, Finland won 3-2. That year, Finland finished as runners-up.

 
The Czechs will face the United States, who finished fourth in Group B despite a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Slovakia in overtime.
 
The other quarter final games will see Sweden take on Canada, while hosts Russia will face off against Germany. 

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HOCKEY

Sweden’s Rasmus Dahlin first overall pick in NHL draft

Rasmus Dahlin became just the second Swedish-born player to be selected first overall in the NHL draft on Friday when the Buffalo Sabres used the top pick on the rangy teenage defenceman.

Published: 23 June 2018 13:14 CEST
Sweden's Rasmus Dahlin first overall pick in NHL draft
Rasmus Dahlin is bound for Buffalo. Photo: Ron Jenkins/Getty Images/AFP
Dahlin, who plays for Frolunda HC in the Swedish league and was widely expected to be the first pick, follows Mats Sundin, who was the top choice of the Quebec Nordiques in 1989.
 
“I just want everything to start,” Dahlin said. “I'm going to bring everything I have to that city. I'm super excited. I can't wait.”
 
Russian forward Andrei Svechnikov went second to the Carolina Hurricanes and the Montreal Canadiens used the third pick to get Finnish centre Jesperi Kotkaniemi.
 
The draft had a decided Europe flavour as four of the top six players were Europeans. The first American was Brady Tkachuk who went to the Ottawa Senators at No. 4 and the Phoenix Coyotes took the first Canadian Barrett Hayton with the fifth pick. 
 
The 18-year-old Dahlin said he was happy to call Buffalo home despite the fact they haven't had a winning season in the past seven seasons and have missed the playoffs eight years in a row.
 
“It's amazing to finally put on the Buffalo Sabres' jersey,” Dahlin said. “I've been there twice. I love that city.”
 
The six-foot-three, 185-pound Dahlin was honoured as the best defenceman at the 2018 world junior championship in Buffalo, registering six assists in seven games. He also played twice for Sweden as a 17-year-old at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.
 
At number six, the Detroit Red Wings chose the brash Halifax Mooseheads winger Filip Zadina who vowed to make teams that passed on him pay down the road.
 
“I'm telling my agent if they will pass on me, I will fill their net with the puck,” the Czech Zadina said. “Yeah, it's just I want to prove to them that they have done a bad decision.”
 
The lone trade of the day came before the draft when the Colorado Avalanche acquired backup goalie Philipp Grubauer and defenceman Brooks Orpik from the Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals for the 47th pick. The Capitals were willing to get rid of Orpik and Grubauer so they could create salary cap space to sign free agents.