U.S. men win, keep pace with Canada for top seed at Olympics
Milan — Saturday night ET: The U. S. men's hockey team rallied from an early deficit to beat Denmark 6-3, with Jack Eichel and the Tkachuk brothers powering a comeback that left the Americans level with Canada atop the preliminary-round standings.
Top line responds after late-game scare
The game looked precarious for the Americans after an unlikely goal from near center ice beat goaltender Jeremy Swayman about 11 minutes in. Denmark added another just before intermission, and the visitors carried momentum into the break. But the U. S. top line — Jack Eichel with Brady and Matthew Tkachuk — swung the game back in America's favor.
Eichel first set up Brady Tkachuk with a faceoff win that led to the tying goal, then a minute later scored off his own draw to put the U. S. ahead. Noah Hanifin followed with a shot that trickled over the goal line, giving the team necessary breathing room. Jake Guentzel added a one-timer in the third period, and Jack Hughes capped the scoring after Denmark's starter exited with an injury.
Swayman acknowledged the odd, long-distance goal but praised his teammates for staying composed. "The confidence never left the group, " he said. "The guys rallied, and we got it done. " The response helped erase the sting of Denmark's early success and carry the Americans through the final stages of the match.
Tkachuk's presence sets the tone
Brady Tkachuk's physicality and fire were front and center in Milan. He initiated contact early and repeatedly pressured opponents in the corners and in front of the net, a style that energized the crowd and his teammates. His celebration after scoring reflected the emotion of representing his country on this stage.
Coaching staff and teammates pointed to his energy as contagious. "He's a beast, " one member of the staff said, praising Tkachuk's blend of physical play and hockey sense. The younger Tkachuk's relentlessness on every shift helped drag a team that had been trailing into a game-control position by the second period.
Standings implications and what comes next
The U. S. now has six points after opening with a 5-1 win over Latvia earlier in the preliminary round, matching Canada's point total heading into the final day of group play. The Americans close out their round-robin schedule against Germany; Canada faces a winless France. If both North American powers win in regulation on the final day, the No. 1 seed for the knockout bracket would be decided by goal differential.
The U. S. will be monitoring injuries and goalkeeper status after Denmark's starter left late in the game and was replaced. Depth scoring from the likes of Guentzel, Brock Nelson and Hughes was an encouraging sign for a club that wants to carry momentum into single-elimination play.
For now, celebrations in Milan were loud and unmistakable: chants of "U-S-A" filled the arena after the Americans pulled away. The victory keeps the U. S. on track for a favorable draw, but with seeding still unsettled, the final preliminary games will take on added significance.
