Team USA survives scare against Denmark as Swayman steadies and offense answers
The United States pulled away in the third period to beat Denmark 6-3 in a tense Olympic group-stage game in Milan on Saturday, a win that masked an uneasy night for goaltender Jeremy Swayman. U. S. skaters supplied timely goals and finishes, while the Americans now turn their focus to a decisive preliminary match with Germany Sunday night ET.
Swayman shaken but recovers
Swayman’s Olympic start was memorable for reasons he would rather forget. Early in the game a shockingly long-range wrist shot from well past center ice beat him cleanly, and later a late-period lapse nearly turned the contest into a one-goal game. "It was a flash screen, and it was just the perfect height right between the stands and board level, and I truly lost it, " Swayman said after the game, then stressed the short memory required at this level: "You’ve got to stay even-keeled. It’s one shot at a time, and no matter how they go in, you’ve got to step up and stop the next one. "
Despite the rough moments, Swayman finished with 18 saves and held when it mattered. The American bench backed him through the adversity, and coaching staff decisions left him in net rather than making an early change. Even so, the goalie’s position in the pecking order appears unsettled: the team has Connor Hellebuyck available and he is expected to start the next preliminary game, suggesting Swayman may have seen his primary Olympic opportunity.
Offense provides the breathing room
The U. S. received goals from Matt Boldy, Brady Tkachuk, Jack Eichel, Noah Hanifin, Jake Guentzel and Jack Hughes. Key late goals delivered the insurance the Americans needed: Guentzel cashed in after Auston Matthews collected a loose puck and set up a one-timer, and Hughes finished a rush by banking a puck off the opposing goaltender’s skate to make the margin comfortable.
"Unreal. Super fun, " Hughes said of scoring in a USA jersey. The balanced attack underlined the depth of the roster and offered a reminder that when the American forwards are on, they can overcome mistakes in net. Still, coach Mike Sullivan emphasized that the team remains a work in progress. "We’re an unfinished product, " Eichel added, reflecting a room that sees promise even in victory.
Looking ahead: Germany awaits Sunday night ET
With the preliminaries nearing their close, the U. S. faces Germany Sunday night ET in what looms as a meaningful matchup to secure positioning in the knockout rounds. Germany arrives off a surprising loss to Latvia, and Sullivan warned that the Germans possess gamebreaking players and will be a competitive opponent. "They're a good team. So are we. We know that they have some gamebreakers on that side, " he said.
Lineup and netminder decisions will be closely watched. The coaching staff’s choice to dress Hellebuyck as the backup against Denmark signaled a plan for the days ahead, and many expect Hellebuyck to start against Germany. For Swayman, the lesson was more about temperament than technique: recover quickly, keep competing and trust the group behind you.
Ultimately the win keeps the host of scenarios open for the Americans as they chase a deep Olympic run. The performance offered flashes of both vulnerability and resilience — a reminder that the team’s ceiling remains high if they can tighten defensive lapses and maintain the offensive balance that produced six goals in Milan.
