Men's Olympic Ice Hockey
2026 Olympic
Hockey
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The United States men's hockey team is taking on Denmark in a preliminary game at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Nick Olesen and Matt Boldy traded goals in the first period before Jeremy Swayman made a brutal error to allow Nicholas Jensen to score from the neutral zone. Denmark led 2-1 after the first but goals from Brady Tkachuk, Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin in the second put the U.S. ahead. Philip Bruggisser then pulled a goal back for the Danes with just 2.6 seconds left in the second.
Hockey is funny. I wasn’t worried about Team USA after the first 20 minutes, despite them trailing.
But I'm a bit more concerned now. They needed to bully the Danes in the dot to get the initiative back. That route won’t be open to them against Finland, Canada or Sweden.
They will need to generate chances at a much higher clip.
P3 18:30 – USA 4, Denmark 3
Big "USA" chants to open the period here. This score must be a surprise to nearly all the fans here, but it hasn't deflated the American fans.
P3 20:00 – USA 4, Denmark 3
The final 20 minutes are underway here at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena!
This may well be the last we see of Swayman in this tournament. That was not a great goal to allow from the point with 2.6 seconds left in the second period. NBC replays didn't indicate they he was terribly screened on that play, either. He's looked uncomfortable all game and is clearly having trouble tracking the puck. Denmark over-passed on a couple of opportunities in the second period, which may come back to haunt them.
Still, Denmark has a very real pulse through 40 minutes.
We received this email from reader Dean H. after Denmark's second goal, the one Jeremy Swayman allowed from the neutral zone. That was before Swayman allowed the third goal with 2.6 seconds left in the second period. Hard to imagine that changed Dean's feelings much.
✉️ There's no way Swayman should be in net and Oettinger not even suited up.
He then proceeded to criticize Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan in a way that I'm not going to reproduce here …
Remember, you can share your thoughts, feelings and questions with us by emailing live@theathletic.com.
Echoing Pierre’s comments about Brady Tkachuk, I had a very similar chat with Matthew Tkachuk more than a year ago. He takes representing Team USA so, so seriously. And like his younger brother, he knows his history.
When I met up with Brady Tkachuk for a TV interview for The Athletic Show last month, I was struck not only by how eager he was to wear the Team USA jersey here in Milan but also by his keen sense of hockey history, talking about how the 1980 Miracle and the 1996 World Cup of Hockey were moments that matter a lot to him as far as understanding their place in history for USA Hockey. He also spoke about how badly he wanted him and his brother to be part of a team that could join those two teams in history by producing a moment no one will forget here. It wasn't your typical athlete talk. He really means and feels it.
Timely goal by him there in the second period to tie the game at 2-2.
… and here's Jack Eichel's goal that gave Team USA its first lead of the game, 3-2.
Here's Brady Tkachuk's goal that tied the score at 2-2…
That's just brutal to give up a goal like that with 2.6 seconds left in the second period. Team USA will surely win this game tonight but there’s no question this has been a sloppy effort that would be concerning to Team USA management and the coaching staff.
Well then. Just when it appeared Team USA had taken full control of this game, Denmark answers with their third goal.
The Americans are now one more fluky goal away from being tied again.
P2 0:02 – USA 4, Denmark 3
Denmark cut Team USA's led in half, with just 2.6 seconds left in the period! Phillip Bruggisser beating Swayman with a rocket from the blue line.
Big chance for Matthews in front of net but he can't convert. There was a time not so long ago where he would put that under the crossbar in his sleep.
Pretty pass by Vince Trocheck sets up Noah Hanifin, who makes it 4-2. Finally some breathing room for Team USA.
There has been nothing smooth about this performance but the Americans are outshooting Denmark by a 28-10 margin. They seem to have things under control.
And apologies for my continual harping on this, but Auston Matthews just doesn't look right at all. No jump. No energy. And he's created precious little offense in this game. If Team USA is to emerge with a gold medal in this tournament, he needs to be so much better.
USA is finding its footing more this period, but I still think Clayton Keller has to get a look tomorrow. I would also like to see Team USA put a little more emphasis on their transition game.
And the floodgates have opened …
P2 2:37 – USA 4, Denmark 2
Noah Hanifin gets his own rebound, shoots again and the puck just dribbles over the goal line before Denmark can clear it. USA rolling now.
P2 3:35 – USA 3, Denmark 2
Joachim Blichfeld in a lot of space near goal to test Swayman, but he overcooks his shot and badly misses the target.
Another faceoff win, another goal. Jack Eichel wins the draw and scores a fairly similar goal to Brady Tkachuk’s.
This whole game has been a struggle for the Americans but now they have their first lead. The top line is leading the way.