Team USA Stays Perfect in Milano with Gritty Win Over Denmark
Team USA kept their unbeaten run alive at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics, grinding out a 6-3 win over a feisty Denmark squad that refused to go quietly.
This one wasn’t as smooth as the scoreboard might suggest. Despite controlling the pace and piling up shots, the Americans had to dig deep after some shaky goaltending and opportunistic Danish scoring turned it into a one-goal game heading into the final period. But when it mattered most, the U.S. leaned on its depth, composure, and high-end talent to close the door with two unanswered goals in the third.
Let’s break it down.
Denmark Strikes First, But U.S. Answers Quickly
Denmark came out swinging. Less than two minutes in, Nick Olesen found the back of the net to give the underdogs an early 1-0 lead.
But Team USA didn’t flinch. Minnesota Wild forward Matt Boldy responded in kind, tying it up just a couple minutes later to settle the nerves.
Still, Denmark wasn’t done. Nicholas Jensen reclaimed the lead midway through the first, and the Danes took a 2-1 advantage into the first intermission - a surprising scoreline considering how much zone time the Americans were generating.
Second Period Surge from the Stars and Stripes
The middle frame saw the U.S. finally start to cash in on their chances.
Brady Tkachuk got things rolling, and just moments later, Jack Eichel followed up with another - two goals in under a minute that flipped the momentum in a flash. Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin added a fourth soon after, stretching the lead to 4-2 and giving the Americans some breathing room.
But just when it looked like the U.S. might run away with it, Denmark struck again. Phillip Bruggisser snuck one in with just three seconds left in the period, trimming the lead to 4-3 and giving the Danes a jolt of life heading into the third.
Closing Time: Guentzel and Hughes Seal the Deal
With the pressure mounting, Team USA needed a strong final 20 - and they delivered.
Jake Guentzel, assisted by captain Auston Matthews, made it 5-3 early in the third. Matthews has been relatively quiet offensively through two games, but his setup here was a reminder of how dangerous he can be even when he's not lighting up the scoresheet.
Then came the dagger: Jack Hughes banked one in to make it 6-3, effectively icing the game and putting the Americans in the driver’s seat heading into their final round-robin matchup.
Goaltending Still a Question Mark
Boston Bruins netminder got the win, but it wasn’t without some tense moments. He allowed three goals on 21 shots - not a disastrous stat line, but the kind of performance that leaves the door open for debate heading into the elimination rounds. He did settle in as the game wore on, making key stops in the third to keep Denmark from clawing back again.
What’s Next
Team USA wraps up round-robin play on Sunday against Germany, looking to maintain their momentum heading into the knockout stage. Meanwhile, Canada will take on France as the Olympic bracket starts to take shape.
The Americans have shown flashes of dominance, but also a few cracks that better teams could exploit. Still, with their offensive firepower and a deep lineup that can roll four lines, they’re in a strong position heading into the business end of the tournament.
Stay tuned - the path to Olympic gold is just heating up.