Olesen has 3 points, Team Denmark holds off Team Latvia

Nick Olesen had two goals and an assist for Team Denmark in a 4-2 win against Team Latvia in a Group C preliminary game at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 at Rho Arena in Milan on Sunday.

Mikkel Aagaard had a goal and an assist for Denmark (1-0-0-2). Frederik Andersen made 33 saves, including 14 in the third period.

It was Denmark's first victory at an Olympics involving NHL players.

"It was nice to finally get a win here, it gives us confidence," Aagaard said. "We've played two great games, and even though our performance maybe wasn't our best here, it was enough. Of course, we have a goalie who gives us a chance to win."

Kristaps Zile and Eduards Tralmaks each had a goal and an assist for Latvia (1-0-0-2). Arturs Silovs made 17 saves.

Each team next will play in the qualification playoffs on Tuesday, against opponents to be determined.

Both teams played Saturday, with Latvia defeating Germany 4-3 and Denmark losing 6-3 to the United States.

GAMECENTER SUMMARY: Denmark-Latvia

But it was Denmark that had more energy at the start, with Olesen scoring 23 seconds into the first period. The forward got deep on the forecheck and tipped a pass by Latvia defenseman Uvis Balinskis. It went to Aagaard in the right face-off circle, and he threw the puck at the net where Olesen redirected it past Silovs from the top of the crease.

It tied for the fastest goal from the start of a game at the Olympics, matching the goal Germany's Leon Draisaitl scored 23 seconds into a game against Denmark on Thursday.

"It's always hard to play back-to-back games and we gave a lot yesterday and I don't think it was us in the first period, at least the first 15 [minutes], and it cost us the game," Silovs said. "We have to tighten up the first period, play with the right mindset and play our structure."

Aagaard knocked in the rebound of a shot by Christian Wejse for a power-play goal to give Denmark a 2-0 lead at 4:54. It was Denmark's first man-advantage goal of the Olympics; they had been 0-for-3 in the first two games and were the only team without a power-play goal.

WATCH: Men's Hockey Highlights from the Olympic Winter Games

Nikolaj Ehlers made it 3-0 at 16:28. Markus Lauridsen's shot from the blue line went off the skates of Oliver Bjorkstrand in front to Ehlers in the right slot.

"It was a tough game," Andersen said. "Like everyone, we had a back-to-back so a short rest. Guys tried to empty the tank a little bit to get a good result today and I'm happy with the win and obviously our primary goal was to get the three points to put ourselves in a good position for whatever comes next."

Latvia made it 3-1 at 19:44 when Zile scored on a shot from the blue line through traffic during a delayed penalty.

Tralmaks made it 3-2 at 6:41 of the second period, finding space at the far post to tap in a pass through the crease by Zile from the left boards.

Latvia pushed for the tying goal, but Dans Locmelis hit the crossbar during a power play with 3:32 remaining in the second period, and Tralmaks hit the goal post on the first shift of the third period.

"We dug ourselves a hole and then we didn't capitalize on the chances to tie it up," Latvia forward Teddy Blueger said.

Andersen held strong as Latvia outshot Denmark 14-6 in the third period, and Olesen scored into an empty net at 17:38 of the third period for the 4-2 final.

"He's amazing, one of the best goalies in the world," Olesen said. "He's calm and steady. We're very happy to have him."

NOTES: Olesen is the first Denmark player with a multigoal game at an Olympics that included NHL players. ... Latvia forward Zemgus Girgensons had an assist on Tralmaks' goal. It was his fourth in eight career Olympic games, tying him with Sandis Ozolinsh for most among Latvia players at an Olympics featuring NHL players.