Team USA endured a stern test of nerves at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, holding off a spirited Denmark side to secure a hard-fought victory in their Winter Olympics 2026 men’s hockey clash and maintain momentum in the tournament.
The Americans were pushed far harder than expected as Denmark delivered one of the standout performances of the competition, racing into an early lead and repeatedly threatening to turn the contest into a major upset. However, the United States responded with composure and firepower, eventually pulling away to claim a 6–3 win after a tense and dramatic encounter.
Denmark stunned the favourites with a fast start, scoring twice in the opening period and exposing defensive lapses that briefly put the Americans on the back foot. But Team USA regrouped quickly, dominating possession and piling up pressure, finishing the game with a commanding 47 shots on goal compared to Denmark’s 21.
The turning point came in the second period, when the United States struck three times to flip the match on its head. With momentum firmly restored, the Americans added two more goals in the final period to secure breathing space, even as Denmark continued to battle and refused to fade quietly.
The result keeps the United States firmly on track in the Olympic campaign, but the performance also served as a warning about the growing competitiveness of emerging hockey nations. Denmark’s pace, organisation and resilience drew praise from observers, underlining their progress on the international stage.
For Team USA, the focus now shifts to tightening defensive discipline and maintaining the attacking efficiency that ultimately rescued the game. With the knockout stages approaching, the Americans know that sterner challenges lie ahead—and that any lapse similar to the early scare against Denmark could prove far more costly.
The victory keeps their medal ambitions intact, but after surviving a night of unexpected turbulence, Team USA will advance with renewed caution as the Olympic men’s hockey tournament intensifies.
