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New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck had his second assist on a game-winning goal in as many games, setting up Noah Hanifin’s second-period tally that helped Team USA defeat Denmark 6-3 on Saturday for its second win in as many games at the Winter Olympics in Milan.
Trocheck made a slick backhand pass in the neutral zone that sprung Hanifin, a defenseman with the Vegas Golden Knights. He beat Denmark goaltender Mads Sogaard from the left circle at 17:23 of the middle period to put the Americans ahead 4-2. The veteran center also had an assist on Brock Nelson’s game-winner in Team USA’s 5-1 win against Latvia on Thursday.
Trocheck and Rangers teammate J.T. Miller also helped the United States kill off three Denmark power plays; the Americans are 5-for-5 on the penalty kill in their first two games.
Trocheck played 9:29, had no shots on goal and was even; Miller was on the ice for 13:08, had one shot on goal and was minus-1.
The United States completes its round-robin against Germany on Sunday. The Germans, who were upset 4-3 by Latvia earlier Saturday, can still win Group C with a regulation win against Team USA; the Americans can assure themselves of a bye into the quarterfinals with a win or overtime/shootout loss.
“It’s a quick turnaround for both of us,” Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk said. “Out of the other teams in this group, they definitely have the most NHL stars on their team. There are guys you definitely got to look out: an NHL goalie, a No. 1 defenseman and some really good forwards. So I’m sure they’re going to give us a really good game as well,”
Rangers center Mika Zibanejad had an assist in Team Sweden’s 5-3 win over Slovakia earlier in the day. However, the Swedes missed out on a bye into the final eight, losing a three-way tie for first place in Group B to the Slovaks on goal differential.
That’s a fate his fellow Rangers on Team USA will try to avoid.
Hanifin was one of six players to score for the United States. In all, 14 players had points for Team USA, which outshot Denmark 47-21 to overcome a 2-1 deficit after one period. The U.S. survived a shaky first two periods by goaltender Jeremy Swayman, who was beaten twice from long distance – once from just inside the red line.
Denmark, which upset Canada at last year’s IIHF World Championship, showed no signs of being intimidated by the Americans and wasted little time grabbing the lead. Nick Olesen got to the front of the net and was credited with a goal when the puck caromed off Team USA defenseman Zach Werenski and past Swayman at 1:40 after the Team USA failed to clear the zone.
The Americans tied it 1-1 at 3:35 on a pair of excellent plays. Quinn Hughes’ brilliant pass sent Matt Boldy racing down left wing, and the Minnesota Wild forward raced in, circled the net and tucked the puck just inside the post before Danish goaltender Mads Sogaard could get across.
Matt Boldy turns the corner and BURIES it. 🇺🇸#WinterOlympics on Peacock and USA pic.twitter.com/t4HFzu0XWQ
“Great play by Quinn,” Boldy told NBC between periods.
Miller and Trocheck did their best work of the period helping the U.S. shut down Denmark’s power play after Dylan Larkin was called for holding at 4:47.
But Denmark jumped back in front at 11:16 when Nicholas B. Jensen’s shot from a step past the red line sailed past Swayman, who appeared not to pick up the puck against the dark background of the boards between the benches.
The United States controlled play for the rest of the first period, but Sogaard was solid and the Danes skated off with a 2-1 lead.
The Americans continued to keep the puck in the Danish zone through the first half of the second period and got even at 9:26 when Jack Eichel won a left-circle draw to Brady Tkachuk, who zipped a shot past Sogaard to make it 2-2.
“It’s a pretty cool feeling scoring for your country,” Tkachuk said. “Just trying to create energy and get some energy from this crowd.”
Eichel put the U.S. ahead for the first time 57 seconds later, picking up a loose puck after neither team could control a right-circle draw and snapping a quick shot into the net to make it 3-2.
TWO GOALS IN 57 SECONDS. USA TAKES THE LEAD. 🦅#WinterOlympics on Peacock and USA pic.twitter.com/cpX398Pvjs
Hanifin’s goal put Team USA up 4-2, but Denmark got within one goal again when Phillip Bruggisser’s shot from just inside the blue line went past Swayman at 19:57. Swayman was screened by Miller and didn’t appear to see the shot.
However, third-period goals by Jake Guentzel (off a beautiful feed from Auston Matthews) and Jack Hughes put the game away for the Americans, who wore down the Danes as the game went on.
“It’s not about how you start,” Matthews said. “It’s about how you finish.”
The Americans won, had some style points in the final 20 minutes and have the chance to complete a round-robin sweep on Sunday by defeating Germany.
“They have some game-breakers on that side. We have a lot of respect for how good they are,” said Team USA coach Mike Sullivan, who doubles as coach of the Rangers. “It will be a competitive game. This is what we expect.”
Larkin said though the U.S. knows about the scenarios with goal differential and standings points, the Americans simply need to play their game.
“Of course you think about it,” he said. “But winning is the probably the most important. We take care of our business (Sunday), we play our game, we’re going to be in a good spot — and that’s that.”
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