Olympic Hockey Roundup: Slovakia sends Germany packing, Danes advance

Slovakia's Martin Gernat (28) pressures Germany's Nicolas Krammer (21) during a men's qualification round hockey game at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, in Beijing. (Matt Slocum/AP Photo)

The reigning Olympic silver medallists in men's hockey have made an early exit from the Beijing Games.

Germany, which upset Canada in the semifinals in Pyeongchang in 2018 before losing to the Russians in the final, was ousted from Beijing on Tuesday with a 4-0 loss to Slovakia in the qualifying round.

The Germans went 1-3 in Beijing, with their only win a 3-2 triumph over host China -- the 12-team tournament's lowest-ranked squad.

Slovakia goaltender Patrik Rybar recorded a 21-save shutout.

Marek Hrivik, Peter Cehlarik, Libor Hudacek and Michal Kristof scored for Slovakia.

Slovakia moves on to face the top-ranked United States in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

Denmark 3, Latvia 2

Denmark continued its strong tournament in its Olympic debut in men's hockey, winning for a third time in four games to advance to the quarterfinals.

Markus Lauridsen broke a 2-2 tie early in the third.

Julian Jakobsen and Morten Poulsen also scored for the Danes. Lauris Darzins scored both goals for Latvia.

Denmark will face the Russians in the quarterfinals. The reigning Olympic gold medallists beat Denmark 2-0 in the preliminary round.

Switzerland 4, Czech Republic 2
After a winless first round, including a shootout loss to the Czech Republic, the Swiss picked the ideal time to enter the win column.

Swiss goalie Leonardo Genoni made 31 saves as his team was outshot 33-18.

Raphael Diaz, who spent time with the Montreal Canadiens, Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks, led Switzerland with a goal and an assist.

Switzerland will meet Finland in the quarterfinals.

Canada squares off with China in the final qualifying round game on Tuesday at 8:10 a.m. ET.

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