Mattias Nørstebø was captain for the occasion in Saturday’s match against Denmark in Asker. Photo: Frederik Ringnes / NTB
Of NTB | 27.04.2024 16:32:24
Sport: On the Norwegian team, the players are fighting for a place in Tobias Johansson’s WC squad. Those who are missing are current players from the NM finalists Storhamar and Vålerenga. The veterans Mats Zuccarello and Patrick Thoresen have also reported for duty. NHL player Emil Lilleberg (Tampa Bay Lightning) may be relevant, as is AHL player Mathias Emilio Pettersen (Texas Stars). Both are playing in the playoffs in the United States.
Viktor Granholm sent the Norwegians into the lead in the middle period on a pass from Petter Vesterheim.
– It was you. I got the puck from Petter so it was just a matter of poking it in, Granholm told TV 2.
Max Krogdahl and Lucas Andersen barked together after a duel in front of goal where the Norwegian was a bit rough in the tackle. Both ended up throwing down the gloves and each received a match penalty.
Norway was felled by a great many expulsions. They managed to overcome many deficits, but in the eighth the Danes managed to score and equalize at 1-1 through Joachim Blichfeld.
– I think that we play well based on the assumptions the judges give us. I’m glad we’re out of harm’s way. They (the referees) allow you to cross the line and that affects the players, Tobias Johansson told TV 2.
On Friday, the Norwegian team beat Denmark 4-3 after an embarrassment where Michael Brandsegg-Nygård scored four goals. The Mora player only played two periods.
Next weekend, Norway will face Latvia in the last two World Cup warm-up games in Riga. Norway opens the WC in Prague against Switzerland on 10 May.
(© NTB)