Andersen Sidelined: Denmark vs. U.S. in Olympic Preliminary Round

Emerson Raymont

Published: February 13, 2026 4:12 PM ET

Andersen Sidelined: Denmark vs. U.S. in Olympic Preliminary Round

Frederik Andersen will not be the starting goaltender for Team Denmark in their upcoming match against Team USA. This preliminary round game will take place at Santagiulia Arena on Saturday at 3:10 p.m. ET as part of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Team Denmark’s coach, Mikael Gath, confirmed this decision after Friday’s practice.

Strategy Behind Goaltending Decision

Denmark’s decision to bench their top goalie aims to conserve Andersen for a potentially more winnable match. The team hopes this strategy will enhance their chances as they navigate the tournament. Andersen previously recorded 23 saves during Denmark’s 3-1 defeat to Team Germany.

Upcoming Matches

Facing Team USA presents a daunting challenge for Denmark. Scheduled for 9:10 p.m. local time, this match occurs shortly before Denmark’s next game against Team Latvia. The latter match will commence at 7:10 p.m. local time on Sunday.

Tournament Structure

The Olympic tournament features 12 teams divided into three groups. Each team will play three preliminary round matches. The winners of each group, along with the best second-place finisher, will receive byes into the quarterfinals. The remaining teams will compete in the qualification round for a chance to join the quarterfinals.

Group C Standings

Currently, Germany and the United States lead Group C, both having secured a regulation win. Meanwhile, Denmark and Latvia each face a regulation loss. Coach Gath expressed concerns about the schedule, noting the quick turnaround between the matches and the team’s strength in goaltending options.