Team USA Avoid Disaster Against Denmark
Photo credit: Feb 14, 2026; Milan, Italy; Jack Eichel of United States in action with Nicklas Jensen of Denmark and Lars Eller of Denmark in men's ice hockey group C play during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
Team USA had a bit of a scare today in their second group stage game of the Olympics against Denmark, Auston Matthews and company were trailing the Danes 2-0 until, and it was Jack Eichel who stepped up and turned the tables for the Americans.
It is now very unlikely Team USA gets the first seed from Team Canada, as they needed to win by a big margin to keep up with the goal difference.
Team USA rallies back against Denmark.
Shawn Roarke of NHL.com provided the post-game report for the Americans, who are now likely finishing in the second seed, which means they will have to play Team Sweden in the quarter finals, who are finishing third in their group, after a surprise emergence from Team Slovakia.
"Nobody stepped up more than Jack Eichel, who had a goal and assist in a 57-second span of the second period to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead. Brady Tkachuk scored to make it 2-2 at 9:26 of the second, corralling a clean face-off win by Eichel and snapping it past goalie Mads Sogaard to start the rally. Less than a minute later, Eichel won another face-off, this time to Matthew Tkachuk, who chipped it back to Eichel. The Golden Knights forward calmly snapped it home for a 3-2 lead at 10:23."-Roarke
Matthews wasn't much of a factor in this game, and it could end up being the downfall for Team USA if they finish in second. Had Matthews provided the offence he did in the first game, the Americans could have won by a higher margin, and give Canada a run for their money.
"The first period was ominous for the Americans when Denmark scored on two of its first four shots. Olesen got things off to a shocking start when his shot from the slot dribbled in at 1:40 for a 1-0 lead."-Roarke
The Americans have a date with Leon Draisaitl and Team Germany in their final group stage game, before the real tournament starts with the quarter finals happening on Wednesday.
Also read on Blade of steel :
Auston Matthews' fate has been sealed after taking an elbow to the head against Latvia
Auston Matthews' fate has been sealed after taking an elbow to the head against Latvia
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 15|210 ANSWERS Team USA Avoid Disaster Against Denmark Does this game prove that Team Canada are better than Auston Matthews and Team USA? | ||
| Yes | 169 | 80.5 % |
| No | 41 | 19.5 % |
| List of polls | ||