A remix of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” played throughout Hockey Arena Herning leading up to a shootout to determine the winner in the Japan and Denmark game. The Danish fans belted out the lyrics, hoping their home team could complete a comeback win.
Group A and B both had one game on the schedule during day two of Worlds. But it was the home team in front of their home crowd that stole the show.
First period: Japan in control
The outlook wasn’t great for Denmark early in the game. Maine commit 17-year-old Umeka Odaira found the net twice in the first period for an early 2-0 lead for Japan.
Second period: Denmark is alive
Early in the second period, Denmark’s Nikita Bergmann found the back of the net to cut the lead to one. The 18-year-old, who plays for Skellefteå AIK of the SDHL, tucked in an attempt by Silke Glud was stopped up front. Both Guld and captain Nicoline Jensen tried to score off the rebound but the puck eventually found Bergmann, who tapped it home.
You have to give credit to Jensen, who had great defense creating the initial chance for Guld. It was Bergmann’s second game with a goal.
Third period: Not going down without a fight
The two teams traded penalties to enter the third with a score of 2-1 in Japan’s favor. Denmark entered the third on a power play and Japan, who had a lot of penalty problems this game, took another for a 5-on-3 chance in favor of the Danish team. Nothing came of that chance but Denmark got yet another 5-on-3 minutes later. The crowd was amped as the cards were in the home team’s favor. The closest chance was a shot off the crossbar. Yet, with 1:10 of 5-on-3, they weren’t able to capitalize either time. The score remained the same.
Japan tried to extend their lead — and had two powerplay chances midway through the third to do so — but nothing was finding the back of the net, mostly because Emma-Sofie Nordström found her groove.
Nordstrom allowed two goals in the first then put together a great performance the rest of the game to keep her team in it. She made important saves on the penalty kill and kept the game close. That helped Denmark set themselves up to tie the game late.
Japan could not keep them from getting chances. Bergmann got the puck and found 17-year-old Teresa Christensen past the blueline, who skated her way to the net and scored to tie the game at two late.
The puck trickled through and with 2:45 left in regulation, Denmark found a new spark. It was a brand new game with overtime looming.
Overtime: mostly 4-on-4
Japan could not stop taking penalties and with momentum now in Denmark’s favor, they took another. Moments later, Denmark took one as well. No one found the back of the net to end regulation. Even though overtime was mostly played 4-on-4 because of the penalties, nothing ended up in the back of the net there either.
It was time for a shootout!
To the shootout
“West Virginia, mountain mama, take me home, country roads…” the crowd belted out before the shootout began with the coin flip landing in Japan’s favor.
Japan missed on their first try as Nordström stopped it. Denmark’s Jensen showed her talent as she skated in, faked the shot, tested Miyuu Masuhara’s patience, and scored. Japan immediately responded with a goal as Odaira got one to go up and over Nordström.
The shootout remained tied at 1 as player after player from each side either missed or were stopped. When Nordström stopped Marin Nagaoka’s attempt, it put Denmark in the perfect spot.
Score and win — miss, and the shootout continues.
Frederikke Foss got the call, and she was ready. She skated in and shot the puck at the perfect time to get past Masuhara and claim the victory.
The building erupted with cheer as Denmark celebrated their comeback win.
An unreal win
“It’s unreal, it’s a historic moment, just unbelievable,” Nordström said. “We didn’t play our game in the first, and then worked our way back into the game. In overtime, we knew we could win,” Nordstrom told IIHF.com after the win.
Nordstrom deserves immense amount of credit for settling into this game and shutting down Japan, especially on the penalty kill and in the shootout. The PWHL draft pick of PWHL Hamilton allowed two goals and made 30 saves. She kept her best for last with a great shootout performance. This was her second win in the top division ever.
Just as loud the crowd sang a remix of John Denver’s 1971 hit, they sang their own song: their national anthem. Denmark now has an off day — one to soak in just how incredible their win in the top division after two years away on home ice was.
“They really lifted us today, and I want to thank the fans from the bottom of my heart,” said Denmark captain Jensen.
Elsewhere around Worlds:
ESBJERG, DENMARK – NOVEMBER 07: Germany’s Katarina Jobst-Smith #28 celebrates her third-period goal against Austria with her teammate Franziska Feldmeier #7 during Preliminary Round – Group A action at the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship at Hockey Arena Esbjerg on Nov. 07, 2026 in Esbjerg, Denmark. Photo credit: Andrea Cardin/IIHF.
Germany 2, Austria 0
Group A action saw Austria play the second of their back-to-back opening games this time they faced Germany.
Despite offensive woes, Germany skated away with a 2-0 win against Austria. The Germans hadn’t scored a goal in 7 and a half periods since Worlds 2025, but Nina Jobst-Smith finally found the back of the net in the second period.
She later added an empty netter to seal the game. Walter Cup champion Sandra Abstreiter recorded the second shutout of her career at the World Championship. Austria’s Selma Luggin started her second straight game and was lights out. After 42 saves against Czechia, she followed it up with 48 saves against Germany. The only reason her team had a chance the entire game was because of her. She’s been fantastic in net, but without offensive support, she can’t do any better.
Both of these teams need to get pucks in net as the tournament continues. Luggin is playing extremely well and she deserves her flowers for being Austria’s best player in their first two games.
Tomorrow’s schedule:
USA vs. Germany
3pm (Local) / 9am (EST)
Finland vs. Sweden
3pm (Local) / 9am (EST)
Czechia vs. Switzerland
7pm (Local) / 1pm (EST)
Canada vs. Japan
7pm (Local) / 1pm (EST)
