COLOGNE, Germany (AP) — Denmark reached the quarterfinals of the hockey world championship for the first time, joining Canada and Finland in the final eight.
Denmark advanced on Monday despite a 2-1 loss to Belarus. Finland earned its spot with a 5-2 over Slovakia, and Canada — the Olympic gold medal champion — moved on even though it didn’t play. Canada is guaranteed to finish ahead of Norway and Latvia in Group F.
Denmark, which beat the United States in overtime in the first group stage, claimed a quarterfinal berth when Slovakia lost. The Danes had never finished better than 10th in the world championship.
Russia, Sweden and Switzerland are already in the playoff rounds. The last two spots will be determined Tuesday.
