IIHF World Championship: USA off to 2-0 start with wins over Canada, host Danes

The IIHF World Championship has kicked off in Denmark, where they’re thrilled to host for the first time.

The host Danes got off to a thrilling start with a 3-2 shootout victory over Germany powered by — who else? -- Frans Nielsen’s shootout winner. He went with the five-hole surprise, the secondary move to his trademark Backhand of Judgment. Former Islander Peter Regin is also on that squad, while Dennis Seidenberg is playing for Germany.

That was on the opening day, which also featured a tilt between Group B powers USA and Canada.

Canada, which features Connor McDavid as well as a bunch of Islanders in Mathew Barzal, Josh Bailey, Ryan Pulock and Anthony Beauvillier, outplayed the Americans but lost 5-4 in a shootout.

Anders Lee was among the American scorers with a goal on the rush rather than by establishing territory in front of the net:

Lee’s goal was assisted by Bridgeport Sound Tigers coach Brent Thompson’s son, Tage, who plays for the Blues. Beauvillier scored for Canada, with a secondary assist for Barzal.

Canada was idle on Day 2 — they play Korea on Sunday in what should be a bloodbath — but the U.S. played again and registered a 4-0 win over hosts Denmark. Long Island native and Devils goalie Keith Kinkaid notched the shutout in that one.

Other opening games included Switzerland beating Austria in overtime, with Nino Niederreiter notching the first goal, and the Czechs beating their Slovakian siblings in overtime.

The U.S. next play on Monday, against Germany.