It was uncertain for a long time whether Nikolaj Ehlers would play for Denmark in the WC. At the last moment, the insurance issue was resolved and Ehlers thanked them by scoring two goals against Hungary. Denmark won their opener 3–1.
Denmark received the best possible message when Nikolaj Ehlers was eager to play in the World Cup, but it was close to the fact that the team would be without NHL reinforcements.
Ehlers has been on site in Tampere and trained with the team, but an insurance issue has haunted the background. Until the end, it was unclear whether Ehlers would be allowed to play in the WC.
But a few hours before Denmark’s World Cup opener against Hungary, the news that the Danish hockey public was waiting for came – the insurance issue was resolved and Ehlers was allowed to play.
– It has been a little frustrating and there were things that needed to be resolved, it was something that I could not influence. I am happy that the parties resolved it so that I could play, says Ehlers to Yle Sporten.
And there was no mistaking that Ehlers was eager to play. The Winnipeg Jets pro showed class and scored Denmark’s first World Cup goal. At the end of the first period, he pushed the puck in on the power play.
“We can do much better”
Hungary is expected to be the big punching bag of the group, but the team really put up a fight against Denmark. Goalkeeper Bence Balizs made several sharp saves and in the middle of the second period the team was centimeters away from an equaliser.
Denmark had the margins on their side in that situation and shortly afterwards Ehlers scored 2–0. The match felt decided after that goal, but in the last period there was a change of scene and Hungary came back. The team got a reduction but Denmark resisted and eventually won 3–1.
– It’s always nice to score, but the victory was the most important thing. We can do much better and we know that, says Ehlers.
Bild: Magazine photo ice hockey, Nikolaj Ehlers
Can’t meet friend Laine
With the premiere out of the way, Ehlers and Denmark can start looking towards the rest of the group stage. In the next match, France awaits, followed by Austria. Denmark ends the group stage with a match against Lejonen on May 23.
The match against Finland could have been special for Ehlers if old friend Patrik Laine had been in the Lions’ team.
– I am in contact with him and it is a shame that he cannot play in his hometown. It’s the kind of thing you dream about.
– We played in Helsinki last year and heard about how crazy it was here in Tampere. It will be awesome to face Finland, but there are a few games left before that, says Ehlers.
Ehlers gives his take on the storm in Winnipeg
Like Laine, Ehlers has had an injury-riddled season in the NHL. There were only 45 games in the regular season and one in the playoffs as the team was eliminated in the first round by the Vegas Golden Knights.
Winnipeg has not been a team in harmony and after the playoff exit, the team found themselves in the headlines for the wrong reasons.
Coach Rick Bowness went out to the media and said that he did not like the attitude of the players, to which Blake Wheeler countered that he does not like that to be brought up in the media instead of with the players.
Bowness, who ousted Wheelers as team captain during the pre-season, then came out and said he regretted his statement but still stood by his words.
– It’s no secret that we didn’t like the way we played, but that doesn’t mean we gave everything. You don’t want the coach to say certain things but everyone gets emotional, he knew we are better than what we showed.
– We are moving on and this autumn is a new season, says Ehlers.
Results:
Hungary–Denmark 1–3
Norway–Kazakhstan 3–4 after penalties
