Tkachuk Sparks Comeback as U.S. Survives Early Swayman Scare to Beat Denmark 6-3
Team USA overcame an early jolt — a long-distance goal allowed by goalie Jeremy Swayman — and leaned on Brady Tkachuk's relentless physicality to pull away for a 6-3 group-stage victory over Denmark in Milan on Saturday. The win masked some worrisome moments in net but showcased the American team's identity: gritty, combative and capable of finishing checks with goals.
Early shock: Swayman beaten from distance
The game opened with a surprise when American netminder Jeremy Swayman conceded a long-range effort that put Denmark ahead. The strike — unusual for its distance and trajectory — briefly put the U. S. on its heels and forced the Americans to chase the game. For a team expected to control play, surrendering that early marker required an immediate response and a resetting of the game plan.
Swayman's goal allowed was an early blemish, but it did not define the night. The rest of the roster answered with more physical engagement and sharper chances. The Americans tightened up defensively after the opening period, and the offense began to take shape as the game progressed.
Tkachuk drags Team USA back into the fight
Brady Tkachuk was the kinetic engine of the comeback. Less than three minutes in, he engaged Denmark's Alexander True in a bruising corner battle — bumping, shoving and wrestling for the puck until the referee intervened. Tkachuk’s style blended tenacity and scoring touch; he finished the first period in the thick of the fray and later converted a crucial goal that flipped momentum toward the Americans.
“He’s a beast, ” U. S. coach Mike Sullivan said of Tkachuk. The coach credited his winger's energy as contagious, noting how Tkachuk uses voice and attitude on the bench to lift teammates. The goal — celebrated with fists, finger-pointing and visible joy — captured why Tkachuk matters to this roster: he generates space, draws attention from opponents and then capitalizes when defenders overcommit.
Tkachuk’s identity on this iteration of Team USA runs deeper than stats. He relishes the physical exchange, racks up penalty minutes and often acts as the team's emotional barometer. When the game threatened to slip away after the early Danish strike, Tkachuk’s combination of grit and a timely finish helped steady the group and spark a multi-goal run.
Takeaways and what’s next
The final 6-3 scoreline provides a cleaner narrative than the first half suggested. The Americans showed resilience and depth of character — traits that will be essential through the group stage — but the contest also highlighted areas needing attention. Goaltending steadiness and defensive discipline must be shored up if the team is to avoid tighter battles against higher-caliber opponents.
For now, the victory moves the U. S. forward in the pool with a reminder of the team’s core identity: physical, relentless and willing to engage in the rough stuff to create offense. Tkachuk’s night was emblematic of that approach, and while Swayman’s early miscue will be a point of review, the overall performance reassured that this American side can both absorb setbacks and respond in kind.
As the tournament progresses, expect the coaching staff to balance the drive that fuels players like Tkachuk with the discipline needed to limit penalties and avoid needless exposure in goal. Saturday’s game was a test of temperament — and Team USA passed, even if it left some homework on the table.
