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\u20133 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.<\/p>\n
Lineups<\/p>\n
United States<\/p>\n
Tkachuk (M.) \u2013 Eichel \u2013 Tkachuk (B.)
Boldy \u2013 Matthews \u2013 Guentzel
Thompson \u2013 Larkin \u2013 Connor
Hughes \u2013 Nelson \u2013 Miller<\/p>\n
McAvoy \u2013 Hughes (Q.)
Faber \u2013 Slavin
Sanderson \u2013 Werenski
Hanifin<\/p>\n
Goaltenders: Swayman, Hellebuyck<\/p>\n
Denmark<\/p>\n
Ehlers \u2013 True \u2013 Bjorkstrand
Aagaard \u2013 Eller \u2013 Blichfeld
Olesen \u2013 Fisker M\u00f8lgaard \u2013 Wejse
Storm \u2013 Russell \u2013 Lassen<\/p>\n
Lauridsen (M.) \u2013 Jensen (J.)
Setkov \u2013 Jensen (Nich.)
Bruggisser \u2013 Lauridsen (O.)<\/p>\n
Goaltenders: Sogaard, Dichow<\/p>\n
Denmark stunned the Americans early when Oscar Fisker M\u00f8lgaard 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.<\/p>\n
Goal (01:40, 1st \u2013 Even Strength): Denmark \u2014 Nick Olesen
Assist: Oscar Fisker M\u00f8lgaard<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Goal (03:35, 1st \u2013 Even Strength): United States \u2014 Matt Boldy<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we came out strong\u2026 there were a few mistakes, and we can\u2019t afford that against players like this,\u201d Olesen said (Pakarinen, 2026).<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Goal (11:16, 1st \u2013 Even Strength): Denmark \u2014 Nicholas B. Jensen<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a flash screen\u2026 definitely one I want back,\u201d Swayman said. \u201cBut at this level, you have to stay even-keel\u201d (Pakarinen, 2026).<\/p>\n
Denmark carried their 2\u20131 lead into the intermission.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Goal (29:26, 2nd \u2013 Even Strength): United States \u2014 Brady Tkachuk<\/p>\n
Less than a minute later, Jack Eichel stepped into space off another draw and fired high to give the U.S. its first lead.<\/p>\n
Goal (30:23, 2nd \u2013 Even Strength): United States \u2014 Jack Eichel<\/p>\n
\u201cHe made some huge saves for us at key times of the game\u2026 you just move on,\u201d Eichel said of Swayman\u2019s rebound from the earlier goal (Pakarinen, 2026).<\/p>\n
Late in the period, Noah Hanifin jumped into the rush, fired once, followed his rebound, and slipped the puck through Sogaard\u2019s five-hole to extend the margin.<\/p>\n
Goal (37:30, 2nd \u2013 Even Strength): United States \u2014 Noah Hanifin<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Goal (39:57, 2nd \u2013 Even Strength): Denmark \u2014 Phillip Bruggisser
Assists: Alexander True, Nik Ehlers<\/p>\n
The Americans tightened defensively and closed the game out.<\/p>\n
Auston Matthews threaded a pass into the slot where Jake Guentzel stepped into a one-timer to restore a two-goal cushion.<\/p>\n
Goal (47:24, 3rd \u2013 Even Strength): United States \u2014 Jake Guentzel
Assist: Auston Matthews<\/p>\n
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\u2019s skate and across the line.<\/p>\n
Goal (52:10, 3rd \u2013 Even Strength): United States \u2014 Jack Hughes<\/p>\n
Final Score: United States 6 \u2013 Denmark 3
Shots on Goal: USA 39 \u2013 DEN 28
Power Plays: USA 0\/2 | DEN 0\/1<\/p>\n
Goaltenders:
USA \u2014 Jeremy Swayman: 25 saves on 28 shots
DEN \u2014 Mads Sogaard: 33 saves on 39 shots<\/p>\n
Game Summary <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s late second-period strike kept the pressure on heading into the third. But once the United States settled into its structure, the game shifted.<\/p>\n
Team USA began winning battles along the boards, supporting the puck through the middle, and limiting Denmark\u2019s entries. The Americans didn\u2019t rely on one line to carry the night either. Much of the production came from throughout the lineup. That depth ultimately wore Denmark down.<\/p>\n
Jake Guentzel\u2019s third-period finish restored a two-goal cushion, and Jack Hughes\u2019 late goal removed any remaining doubt. From there, the United States managed the final minutes with control, forcing Denmark to play from the perimeter.<\/p>\n
The win showcased both skill and composure. The Americans absorbed adversity, responded quickly, and dictated the game when it mattered most. It wasn\u2019t flawless hockey, however. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
Source:<\/p>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\n
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