In the first of a best of three series, it was close as was expected. Kazakhstan, in the top tier tournament for the first time since 2009 was taking on Division I regular, Denmark.
It was the Kazakhs who scored first when Oleg Boiko deflected home a shot from defenceman Yevgeni Shinkaretski.
Oleg Boiko styr in 1-0 till Kazakstan mot Danmark. #WJC2019 #JVM2019 pic.twitter.com/UJDa7XDDhP
— Anton Johansson (@antonj85) January 2, 2019
The Danes found the back of the net for the first time in the tournament when Jonas Rondbjerg was able to beat Kazak goaltender Demid Yeremeyev under the arm.
Jonas Røndbjerg #VegasBorn kvitterar för Danmark mot Kazakstan, 1-1. #WJC2019 #JVM2019 pic.twitter.com/FUN878qMVl
— Anton Johansson (@antonj85) January 2, 2019
Kazakhstan quickly scored to retake the lead and then scored again early in the 2nd period to move ahead 3-1 into the 3rd period.
Sayan Daniyar utökade Kazakstans ledning till 3-1 mot Danmark. #WJC2019 #JVM2019 pic.twitter.com/1zM9kDqjBd
— Anton Johansson (@antonj85) January 2, 2019
The two teams traded goals in the first half of the 3rd period and play had settled in until Kazak Artyom Korolyov took a penalty and Denmark’s Malte Setkov scored on the ensuing PP.
Denmark pulled their goalie with 1:20 left but were unable to beat Yeremeyev giving Kazakhstan the win in game one, 4-3.
Denmark did outshoot Kazakhstan 43-18 which has to be seen as a good sign for game two.
Game 2 is set for Friday at 9 AM.
