The United States remain undefeated at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympic games following a 6-3 win over Denmark.
The game was somewhat reminiscent to Sweden’s 5-2 win over Italy earlier in the week, with the States dominating on the shot clock but suffering from some less than stellar goaltending to keep the game tight headed into the final frame. The Danes pushed the States to the point where they trailed 4-3 going into the third period, but the States kept the pressure up and eventually scored two goals to ice the game and take the 6-3 victory.
Denmark capitalized on their chances early on, carrying a 2-1 lead into the second period. Nick Olesen opened the scoring for the Danes less than two minutes into the game before Minnesota Wild forward Matt Boldy evened it up less than two minutes after that. Nicholas Jensen scored the second goal for the Danes just over halfway into the period.
The States began to find their groove in the second, with Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk and Vegas Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel scoring less than a minute apart to take a 3-2 lead. Golden Knights defenceman Noah Hanifin scored to bring the lead to two goals shortly after that, but Denmark’s Phillip Bruggisser made things interesting with a goal three seconds from the end of the period to make it 4-3.
In the third period, Jake Guentzel scored assisted by Matthews to make it 5-3 before Jack Hughes put the finishing touch on it, scoring off a bank-in to make it 6-3 and eventually ice the game. Boston Bruins goaltender allowed three goals on 21 shots to win the game after a shaky start before tightening things up later in the game to hold on for the victory.
The States will close off round-robin action on Sunday when they face Germany, meanwhile Team Canada will face France before the elimination rounds begin on Monday.