Denmark big underdog to U.S. in World Juniors today

The U.S. team opens play in the World Junior Championships against Denmark at 7 p.m. Monday at Rexall Place in Edmonton.

Dean Blais, coach of the U.S. team, said he did not known much about the Danes. Not surprising, considering Denmark has played in the top division of the WJC only once, in 2008, and that year went 0-7 and were outscored 15-38 to finish 10th, or last.

This year the Danes were 0-4 in four exhibition games in Canada preparing for the WJC. Denmark lost to the University of Alberta twice, 5-0 and 8-3, to Sweden 8-0 and to Latvia 5-1.

Here is the rest of the schedule on opening day:

Canada vs. Finland, 2:30 p.m.

Sweden vs. Latvia, 4:30 p.m.

Russia vs. Switzerland, 9 p.m.

FEW WELL-KNOWN NAMES

The Danes are coached by Todd Bjorkstrand, a Minneapolis native, who played college hockey at Maine (1980-84), then played minor league pro hockey for several teams before a long career in Denmark's pro leagues from 1988-2002.

Two of Bjorkstrand's sons, Oliver, 19 and Patrick, 16, play for his team in Denmark, the Herning Blue Fox, and the country's junior team.

Actually, there are five Herning players on the tteam and four from the Frederikshavn White Hawks. Should help the Danes build chemistry.

The best known Danish players are Nicklaus Jensen, a 6-3 right wing drafted by Vancouver in 2011, and Mads Eller, the younger brother of Lars Eller of the Montreal Canadiens.

Jensen has 17 goals in 30 games this season for the Oshawa Generals of the OHL.

Besides Jensen and Anders Schulz who plays for Cedar Rapids of the USHL, the other players for Denmark all play in Europe. Three play on teams in Sweden, the rest on Danish teams.

Denmark's goal has to be just to stay in the top division by winning a game or two, even if it is against weaker competition in non-medal play after group play finishes.

The Danes, like every other team in the WJC, practiced for 75 minutes on Sunday. They are emphasizing quickness and hard work, according to one observer. They also spent a lot of time on special teams.

The U.S. team, the same observer said, worked on breakouts and practiced shootouts.

The U.S. has won its opening game in seven of the last WJC, including the past four years. Last year Nick Bjugstad of the Gophers scored the game-winner as the U.S. beat Finland 3-2 in overtime.

This year, so far, Bjugstad has not played in three exhibition games. He was injured in the Gophers' last game on Dec. 10 and the U.S. coaches are being cautious with him.