2025 IIHF Worlds: Beniers, Daccord Shine as USA Shuts Out Denmark

Team USA opened their 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship campaign on Friday afternoon with a convincing matchup against host Denmark in Group B play. With a roster stacked with young NHL talent and a clear commitment to speed and puck possession, the Americans were looking to set the tone early in their pursuit of gold. Denmark, playing in front of a supportive home crowd, aimed to counter with structure, physicality, and steady goaltending.

What followed was a dominant performance from the U.S., who controlled pace, capitalized on special teams, and leaned on their depth to take a multi-goal lead early in the game.

First Period

The United States opened the scoring late in the first period, capitalizing on sustained zone pressure and clean puck movement. Forward Cutter Gauthier broke the deadlock at 17:52, finding space in the slot and burying a feed from defenseman Michael Kesselring to put Team USA ahead.

GOAL (17:52): Cutter Gauthier (USA) – Even Strength | Assisted by Michael Kesselring

Each team earned a power play opportunity earlier in the period but failed to convert. Denmark’s Christian Wejse was called for tripping at 2:18, and Tage Thompson of the U.S. was assessed a two-minute minor for boarding at 10:26. Both goaltenders—Joey Daccord for the U.S. and Frederik Dichow for Denmark—were solid between the pipes, with Daccord facing limited but focused chances.

Stats

• Shots on Goal: Denmark 9 | USA 9
• Saves: Denmark 9 | USA 8
• Penalty Minutes (PIM): Denmark 2 | USA 2

Penalties

2:18 – DEN: Christian Wejse, 2:00 Tripping
10:26 – USA: Tage Thompson, 2:00 Boarding

Second Period

The United States opened the second period with urgency and quickly capitalized on a power play opportunity. At 2:41, Denmark’s Oliver Lauridsen was called for tripping, sending the U.S. to the man advantage. Less than 90 seconds later, Logan Cooley made them pay—snapping a shot past Frederik Dichow after a slick passing sequence with Conor Garland and Tage Thompson.

GOAL (3:59): Logan Cooley (USA) – Power Play | Assisted by Conor Garland, Tage Thompson

The pressure didn’t let up. At 8:32, Matty Beniers made it 3–0, snapping a shot past Frederik Dichow off a crisp setup from Andrew Peeke, with Mason Lohrei also picking up an assist. The goal underscored the depth and tempo of the American attack.

GOAL (8:32): Matty Beniers (USA) – Even Strength | Assisted by Andrew Peeke, Mason Lohrei

Denmark struggled to generate offense, spending much of the period hemmed in by Team USA’s relentless forecheck and puck movement. Goaltender Frederik Dichow continued to face a barrage of shots by the Americans, doing everything he could to keep the score from ballooning further.

Midway through the frame, Drew O’Connor broke in alone on a partial breakaway and attempted a backdoor finish, but Denmark’s defenders recovered to shut down the lane. Shortly after, Denmark mounted their strongest surge of the game—generating several quality looks in tight—but U.S. netminder Joey Daccord stood tall, turning aside multiple chances by the Danes.

As the period progresses, the U.S. remains in command but Denmark is beginning to push back, looking to shift momentum before the second intermission. The Danes continued to generate multiple looks in tight and testing U.S. goaltender Joey Daccord. The Seattle Kraken netminder came up big, including a sharp blocker save on a laser from the high slot to keep Denmark off the board.

Despite Denmark’s late-period surge, the Americans closed out the frame with control and confidence, taking a 3–0 lead into the second intermission.

Penalties

2:41 – DEN: Oliver Lauridsen, 2:00 Tripping

Stats

• Shots on Goal: Denmark 9 | USA 18
• Saves: Denmark 9 | USA 4
• Penalty Minutes (PIM): Denmark 4 | USA 4

Third Period

The final frame opened with physical play as both teams picked up roughing penalties just 1:40 in—Christian Wejse for Denmark and Conor Garland for the U.S.—after a net-front scrum. As play settled, the Americans continued to press offensively and limit Denmark’s time in the attacking zone.

At 9:31, Team USA extended their lead to 4–0 when Mason Lohrei scored his first of the tournament on a rising shot through traffic. The goal was assisted by Michael Kesselring, who notched his second point of the game, and Frank Nazar, who earned his first.

GOAL (49:31): Mason Lohrei (USA) – Even Strength | Assisted by Michael Kesselring, Frank Nazar

Tensions flared again at 14:53, leading to matching unsportsmanlike conduct penalties for Nicklas Jensen (DEN) and Andrew Peeke (USA). But the U.S. continued to control the game in all three zones.

At 16:16, Matty Beniers scored his second goal of the night and Team USA’s fifth, tapping in a smooth setup from Cutter Gauthier with a secondary assist going to Will Smith.

GOAL (56:16): Matty Beniers (USA) – Even Strength | Assisted by Cutter Gauthier, Will Smith

Goaltender Joey Daccord closed out the night with a perfect performance, earning the shutout behind a disciplined and structured American effort. Frederik Dichow remained in net for Denmark, facing relentless pressure throughout the contest.

At the final buzzer, the United States skated off with a commanding 5–0 win, opening their tournament with a complete team performance—highlighted by special teams success, depth scoring, and stifling defense.

Stats

• Shots on Goal: Denmark 9 | USA 18
• Saves: Denmark 9 | USA 4
• Penalty Minutes (PIM): Denmark 4 | USA 4

Penalties

1:40 – DEN: Christian Wejse, 2:00 Roughing
1:40 – USA: Conor Garland, 2:00 Roughing
14:53 – DEN: Nicklas Jensen, 2:00 Unsportsmanlike Conduct
14:53 – USA: Andrew Peeke, 2:00 Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Final Stats

USA vs. Denmark – Final Score: USA 5, Denmark 0

Photo Gallery: Denmark vs United States – 2025 IIHF WM

Players of the Game

USA – Matty Beniers
Beniers paced the U.S. offense with two goals, showing off his scoring touch, on-ice awareness, and poise in high-traffic areas. He was a consistent threat all game and sealed the win with his third-period tally.

Denmark – Markus Lauridsen
Lauridsen was a steadying presence on Denmark’s blue line, logging key minutes on the penalty kill and helping to absorb wave after wave of American pressure. Despite the final score, his positioning and composure stood out in a tough defensive assignment.