Just over two months after Denmark’s men’s team earned its first-ever trip to the Olympic Games, the women’s national team is poised to follow their colleagues to Beijing with a 1-0 victory over Austria.

Maria Peters scored the game winner and Cassandre Repstock-Romme posted her second shutout in two games, moving Denmark to within one point of a guaranteed spot in the Olympics in Beijing.

"We put a got effort in the defensive system, and goaltending has been good," said head coach Peter Elander. "I think that attitude of 'defence-first' is something that can take us to the Olympics." 

It was a clash between two teams that each earned an all-important three points in their opening games, with both eyeing the ultimate prize of a trip to Beijing 2022.

The game was fast-paced and tightly-contested, with Denmark getting a few quality scoring chances coming down the middle of the Austrian defence, but were held back by goaltender Selma Luggin, who has proven to be one of the key pieces to Austria’s success in the tournament so far after a 3-0 shutout of Germany in the opener.

But the Austrians showed in their first game against German that they could be dangerous in transition, and nearly caught the Danes shorthanded on a pair of great scoring opportunities.

Following a scoreless first period, Austria was whistled for tripping with 3:46 left in the second. The puck came into the Austria zone where it was picked up by Denmark forward Silke Glud. Glud was trailed closely by Austrian defender Alessandra Lopez, but she collided with an official that was trying to get out of the play, allowing Gluke to feed Maria Peters in front of the net for the 1-0 score.

In the third period the Austrians ramped up the pressure on Danish goalie Cassandre Repstock-Romme, who had so far played 100 minutes of shutout hockey. But Repstock-Romme and the Danish defense were up to the task, effectively locking down the Austrians allowing just a handful of shots on net and zero time or space in the offensive zone.

Denmark’s victory sets up an decisive Sunday afternoon, which will see Austria take on Italy and Denmark face Germany. With six points and sitting atop the Group D standings, the Danes hold their Olympic destiny in their hands.