Denmark Benches Star Goalie Andersen for Crucial Olympic Showdown Against USA
MILAN – In a strategic move that has raised eyebrows across the Olympic hockey landscape, Team Denmark has announced that their No. 1 goaltender, Frederik Andersen, will not start in Saturday's preliminary round game against a formidable Team USA at the Santagiulia Arena. The decision, revealed by Denmark's head coach Mikael Gath, signals a calculated gamble as the Danes look to navigate the challenging tournament format.
A Strategic Gamble in Group C
The clash between the USA and Denmark, scheduled for Saturday afternoon, is part of the Group C preliminary round of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. While the United States is considered a strong contender, Denmark's decision to sideline their most experienced netminder suggests a clear focus on positioning themselves for the crucial single-elimination playoff rounds.
"I'm not going to start Andersen tomorrow," Coach Gath confirmed to NHL.com after practice on Friday. This decision comes after Andersen made 23 saves in Denmark's 3-1 opening loss to Team Germany on Thursday. The Danes are widely acknowledged as underdogs against the American squad, and the scheduling of their subsequent game further emphasizes Gath's tactical approach.
Navigating a Tight Schedule
Denmark faces a demanding schedule, with a late-night game against the U.S. followed by an early afternoon contest against Latvia the very next day. "We have a bad schedule," Gath admitted. "We're playing 9 o'clock against U.S., and then we play early against Latvia the day after, and we have three good goalies." This suggests a plan to utilize their goaltending depth to manage fatigue and maximize performance throughout the tournament.
The Olympic tournament structure is designed to reward strong preliminary round performances. The winners of each of the three groups, along with the best second-place finisher, earn direct berths into the quarterfinals, bypassing the qualification round. For teams like Denmark, who are not expected to dominate their group, securing a favorable seeding or even an upset win in the qualification round becomes paramount.
Who Steps In for Denmark?
With Andersen out, the starting goaltender role against the U.S. will fall to either Mads Sogaard or Frederik Dichow. Both goalies bring different levels of experience and potential to the crease.
Assessing the Danish Goaltending Options
Frederik Andersen, at 36, is a veteran presence with a decorated NHL career. His regular-season NHL statistics speak volumes: 315 wins, a 2.59 goals-against average, a .914 save percentage, and 28 shutouts in 539 games. This season, however, has seen him post a 3.26 GAA and an .871 save percentage in 22 games for the Carolina Hurricanes.
Mads Sogaard, a younger prospect at 25, has also seen NHL action. His professional record includes a 3.60 GAA and an .877 save percentage in 31 games. This season, he has played sparingly in the NHL, with a 4.65 GAA and .833 save percentage in two games for the Ottawa Senators, and a 3.30 GAA and .889 save percentage in 18 AHL games.
Frederik Dichow, 24, was a fifth-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in 2019 but has yet to play in North America. He has shown promise in the Swedish Hockey League, boasting a 2.40 GAA and a .912 save percentage this season. Dichow also has prior Olympic experience, having played one game in the 2022 Beijing Olympics. His standout performance in the 2025 IIHF World Championship, where he made 39 saves to help Denmark upset a Canadian team featuring NHL stars, highlights his potential to deliver under pressure.
The U.S. Perspective
Team USA enters the game with momentum, having secured a regulation win in their opening preliminary round game. The American roster, a blend of established NHL talent and emerging stars, will be looking to continue their strong start to the tournament. Despite Denmark's goaltending decision, the U.S. will undoubtedly approach the game with the same intensity and focus on securing a victory that could significantly impact their group standings and potential path to the medal rounds.
The decision to rest Andersen is a high-stakes play for Denmark. It underscores the competitive nature of Olympic hockey and the intricate strategies teams employ to maximize their chances of success in a short, intense tournament. All eyes will be on the Danish crease as they face the Americans, with the hope of preserving their top goalie for more critical matchups ahead.
