Andreas Martinsen sent the Norwegians ahead in the first half. Sondre Olden scored a 2-1 goal midway through the period.

Norway were only twelve seconds away from earning the first victory over Canada in 23 years after regulation time. Lawson Crouse managed to shoot the puck past Jonas Arntzen. He ensured the extension where there was no decision. The game was to be played on penalties.

Isak Hansen scored on his attempt, while Canada missed. Sondre Olden and Mathias Trettenes also scored. Cody Glass and Tyler Toffoli scored for Canada. Michael Haga missed for Norway before Thomas Olsen netted the fourth penalty to make it 4-3.

There are three local players in the squad: Michael Haga, Christian Kasastul and Max Krogdahl.

Late payment

On Sunday, Norway secured a new place in the top flight without playing as Slovenia lost 0-1 to Slovakia.

So Tobias Johansson’s boys could go into the match against Canada with their shoulders down. Andreas Martinsen found himself in a good position on his own and surprisingly sent Norway ahead with 1-0 on Ken André Olimb’s pass.

Sondre Olden increased Norway’s 2-0 lead early in the half on a surprising shot from the edge via a Canadian fullback.

The Canadians managed to reduce through veteran Milan Lucic on a very covered Jonas Arntzen in the Norwegian goal.

Towards the end of the period, 18-year-old Adam Fantilli lost his mind a bit. He tackled Christian Kåsastul in the neck and head and received a match penalty.

Long time no see

The last time Norway beat the ice hockey superpower was at the 2000 World Cup in St. Petersburg, where Swede Leif Boork was the coach of the Norwegian national team. It was Boork who was among the skeptics when the indefinable Johansson was chosen as Norway national team manager a year ago.

– I’m still a little annoyed by the referees who deprived us of victory after regulation time. However, we showed great strength throughout the game, and I’m proud of the players,” Johansson said.

He thought of the situation where Johannes Johannesen was stumbled before Canada’s equalizer to make it 2-2.

– It’s proof of good teamwork and the fact that this type of player can knock down anyone, Johansson told Viaplay.

Now the team can focus on defending 13th place from the previous two years. They must then preferably beat Slovakia in the last game to defend the 12th place they currently hold.

Norway’s Ice Warriors have been relatively good defensively with twelve guards in six games, but things have been slow moving forward. Seven goals were scored and three of them came in the first game. The game in extra time since the match against Kazakhstan (two goals out of two possible) was done without clear consciousness. More than 50 minutes have been played in games with an extra man on the ice.

Next year’s CM will take place in the Czech Republic with venues in Prague and Ostrava.

(© NTB)