Denmark opened its account at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 with a historic performance on Sunday, defeating Latvia 4–2 in a Group C preliminary-round matchup at Rho Arena in Milan.
Forward Nick Olesen led the way for Denmark men’s national ice hockey team, scoring twice and adding an assist to help secure the nation’s first Olympic victory in a tournament featuring NHL players. Mikkel Aagaard contributed a goal and an assist, while goaltender Frederik Andersen made 33 saves, including 14 in a tense third period.
Denmark wasted no time setting the tone. Olesen scored just 23 seconds into the game, redirecting Aagaard’s shot from the top of the crease after a turnover deep in Latvia’s zone. The goal matched the fastest from the opening faceoff at these Games, tying a mark set earlier in the tournament by Leon Draisaitl.
Denmark doubled its lead at 4:54 of the first period when Aagaard converted a rebound during a power play — the team’s first man-advantage goal of the Olympics. Later in the period, Nikolaj Ehlers extended the advantage to 3–0 by finishing a loose puck in the slot after a point shot created traffic in front of the net.
Latvia responded late in the first period when defenseman Kristaps Zile scored through traffic during a delayed penalty. Momentum carried into the second period, as Eduards Tralmaks cut the deficit to 3–2 by tapping in a cross-crease pass.
Despite sustained pressure from the Latvia men’s national ice hockey team, Andersen kept Denmark in front. Latvia came close to equalizing multiple times, striking the crossbar during a power play late in the second period and the post early in the third.
Latvian goaltender Arturs Silovs finished with 17 saves, but Denmark sealed the victory when Olesen scored into an empty net with 2:22 remaining.
Both teams now advance to the qualification playoffs. Denmark will face Czechia, while Latvia will meet Sweden on Tuesday as the tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics continues.
