After falling behind twice in the opening period, the Americans regrouped, tightened their structure, and erupted for three goals in the second period to seize control and secure a 6–3 win over Denmark in Group C play. The game tested their coolness early, but once the pace tilted in their favor, the United States dictated possession, controlled the middle of the ice, and closed with authority.
Lineups
United States
Tkachuk (M.) – Eichel – Tkachuk (B.)
Boldy – Matthews – Guentzel
Thompson – Larkin – Connor
Hughes – Nelson – Miller
McAvoy – Hughes (Q.)
Faber – Slavin
Sanderson – Werenski
Hanifin
Goaltenders: Swayman, Hellebuyck
Denmark
Ehlers – True – Bjorkstrand
Aagaard – Eller – Blichfeld
Olesen – Fisker Mølgaard – Wejse
Storm – Russell – Lassen
Lauridsen (M.) – Jensen (J.)
Setkov – Jensen (Nich.)
Bruggisser – Lauridsen (O.)
Goaltenders: Sogaard, Dichow
Denmark stunned the Americans early when Oscar Fisker Mølgaard held the puck at the blue line and found Nick Olesen alone at the top of the crease. Olesen deflected the pass and slipped it past Jeremy Swayman to open the scoring.
Goal (01:40, 1st – Even Strength): Denmark — Nick Olesen
Assist: Oscar Fisker Mølgaard
Team USA answered less than two minutes later. Matt Boldy entered the zone with speed, fired from the left circle, chased his rebound behind the net, and wrapped it around before Mads Sogaard could recover.
Goal (03:35, 1st – Even Strength): United States — Matt Boldy
“I think we came out strong… there were a few mistakes, and we can’t afford that against players like this,” Olesen said (Pakarinen, 2026).
Midway through the period, Denmark reclaimed the lead. Nicholas B. Jensen launched a shot from distance that caught Swayman off guard on the blocker side.
Goal (11:16, 1st – Even Strength): Denmark — Nicholas B. Jensen
“There’s a flash screen… definitely one I want back,” Swayman said. “But at this level, you have to stay even-keel” (Pakarinen, 2026).
Denmark carried their 2–1 lead into the intermission.
The Americans took control in the middle frame. Nine minutes into the period, Brady Tkachuk snapped a shot straight off an offensive-zone faceoff to tie the game.
Goal (29:26, 2nd – Even Strength): United States — Brady Tkachuk
Less than a minute later, Jack Eichel stepped into space off another draw and fired high to give the U.S. its first lead.
Goal (30:23, 2nd – Even Strength): United States — Jack Eichel
“He made some huge saves for us at key times of the game… you just move on,” Eichel said of Swayman’s rebound from the earlier goal (Pakarinen, 2026).
Late in the period, Noah Hanifin jumped into the rush, fired once, followed his rebound, and slipped the puck through Sogaard’s five-hole to extend the margin.
Goal (37:30, 2nd – Even Strength): United States — Noah Hanifin
Denmark answered just seconds before the horn when Alexander True won a faceoff cleanly, and Nik Ehlers moved the puck back to Phillip Bruggisser at the blue line. His slap shot cut the deficit to one.
Goal (39:57, 2nd – Even Strength): Denmark — Phillip Bruggisser
Assists: Alexander True, Nik Ehlers
The Americans tightened defensively and closed the game out.
Auston Matthews threaded a pass into the slot where Jake Guentzel stepped into a one-timer to restore a two-goal cushion.
Goal (47:24, 3rd – Even Strength): United States — Jake Guentzel
Assist: Auston Matthews
Denmark made a late goaltending change, inserting Frederik Dichow, but Jack Hughes added insurance. Hughes circled behind the net and attempted a sharp-angle play that deflected off Dichow’s skate and across the line.
Goal (52:10, 3rd – Even Strength): United States — Jack Hughes
Final Score: United States 6 – Denmark 3
Shots on Goal: USA 39 – DEN 28
Power Plays: USA 0/2 | DEN 0/1
Goaltenders:
USA — Jeremy Swayman: 25 saves on 28 shots
DEN — Mads Sogaard: 33 saves on 39 shots
Game Summary
After surrendering two first-period goals and briefly chasing the pace, Team USA found its footing in the second period and never looked back. The Americans dictated play through faceoff wins, quicker puck movement, and stronger support. Once they grabbed the lead, they protected it, utilizing better defensive layers and smarter transitions through the neutral zone.
Jack Eichel drove the offense with confidence, Brady Tkachuk and Noah Hanifin delivered momentum-shifting goals, and Jake Guentzel added insurance when Denmark tried to close the gap. Jeremy Swayman regrouped after an early surprise goal and steadied the crease as the Americans tightened up in front of him.
Denmark competed hard and capitalized on early mistakes, forcing the Americans to adjust on the fly. Nick Olesen and Nicholas B. Jensen took advantage of breakdowns, and Phillip Bruggisser’s late second-period strike kept the pressure on heading into the third. But once the United States settled into its structure, the game shifted.
Team USA began winning battles along the boards, supporting the puck through the middle, and limiting Denmark’s entries. The Americans didn’t rely on one line to carry the night either. Much of the production came from throughout the lineup. That depth ultimately wore Denmark down.
Jake Guentzel’s third-period finish restored a two-goal cushion, and Jack Hughes’ late goal removed any remaining doubt. From there, the United States managed the final minutes with control, forcing Denmark to play from the perimeter.
The win showcased both skill and composure. The Americans absorbed adversity, responded quickly, and dictated the game when it mattered most. It wasn’t flawless hockey, however.
Team USA continues to build momentum in Group C, proving it can win not only with speed and talent but also with discipline and responsiveness when challenged. They will face Germany on Sunday afternoon at 3:10 PM EST.
Source:
Pakarinen, R. (2026, February 14). Team USA marches on, beats Denmark. International Ice Hockey Federation. https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2026/olympic-m/gamecenter/recap/68689/14-usa-vs-den
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