U.S. men rally to beat Denmark, keep pace with Canada for top seed at Olympics
In a game that tested resilience more than style, the U. S. men’s hockey team recovered from an early shock to defeat Denmark 6-3 Saturday night (ET) in Milan, maintaining pace with Canada for the top seed in the preliminary round and tightening the pathway toward medal contention at the 2026 Olympics.
Top line drags Americans back into the game
After a baffling long-range goal put Denmark ahead late in the first period, the Americans leaned on their top line to swing momentum. Jack Eichel created two quick plays — setting up Brady Tkachuk on one shift and scoring off his own faceoff win on the next — and that burst helped flip a nervy contest into a more comfortable margin.
Brady Tkachuk’s physical surge through the middle of the ice set the tone early and never let up, combining grit with timely finishes. Defenseman Noah Hanifin’s shot trickled in to extend the lead, and Jake Guentzel and Jack Hughes added insurance goals later in the third period after Denmark’s netminder exited through injury. Goaltender Jeremy Swayman steadied after the odd concession and credited the team’s even-keeled response for keeping confidence intact.
“We stuck with it, trusted each other, ” Brady Tkachuk said. “That character and belief makes the difference in a tournament like this. ” The chant-driven crowd, awash in red, white and blue, provided a backdrop that underscored how much national pride is on the line in Milan.
Seeding stakes and the medal count Olympics 2026
With the win the U. S. now sits level on six points with Canada heading into the final day of round-robin play. Both teams can claim the No. 1 seed with regulation wins in their final preliminary games; if that happens, placement will be decided by goal differential. Securing the top seed is more than pride — it can shape matchups in the single-elimination bracket and influence the odds of adding an Olympic hockey medal to a nation's overall tally.
At this stage, the hockey podium matters for broader national ambitions in the medal count Olympics 2026. A favorable draw can avoid a clash with the other North American powerhouse until later rounds, increasing the probability of reaching the medal games. Conversely, a tougher bracket can force early, high-stakes matchups that threaten medal hopes. For a country chasing a strong overall finish, every event’s contribution—especially marquee sports like men’s hockey—carries outsized weight.
What to watch in the final prelim games
The U. S. closes round-robin play against Germany; Canada faces a struggling French side. If both heavyweights win in regulation, attention will turn to goal margins and tie-break math. Beyond seeding calculations, coaches will be monitoring health and ice time management with knockout hockey looming. Denmark’s grit and willingness to battle should not be dismissed, but the depth and top-end talent on the American roster have answered concerns raised by the early goal against them.
Individual storylines remain compelling: how the Tkachuk brothers’ chemistry influences late-stage games, whether Swayman can sustain form under pressure, and how injured or fatigued opponents factor into lineup decisions. For fans tracking the medal count Olympics 2026, these matchups will help determine who earns not just bragging rights but podium points for their countries.
For now, the U. S. can enjoy a victory that preserved momentum and kept its medal hopes alive. The road to Milan’s medal podium will require consistency, timely scoring and disciplined defense — and Saturday night showed the Americans can deliver when called upon.
