The Hat Trick: Team USA Pummel Denmark Late Despite Abysmal Start In Net

SALT LAKE CITY – Despite a slow start and some highly questionable goaltending by Jeremy Swayman, the United States received a boost from their top line in the middle frame and finished strong to comfortably defeat Denmark.

Here are the key takeaways from Team USA’s 6-3 victory over the Danes.

Jeremy Swayman shouldn’t see the ice again after his unacceptable performance against Denmark

While the Olympics are all about the realization of dreams, they’re also viciously unforgiving.

Doesn’t matter how good you are, what you’ve accomplished in the past, or what the odds claim, Olympic competition requires near perfection at all times in order to reach the top of the mountain.

With that in mind and although the United States eventually defeated Denmark 6-3, Jeremy Swayman’s performance was unacceptable and should prohibit him from any future minutes in Milan.

Denmark just scored from the neutral zone…what is Swayman doing…

2-1 Denmark.

— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) February 14, 2026

After facing just five shots in the early beginnings of the first period against the Danes, Swayman let two weak pucks beat him.

Now, to be fair, the first wasn’t entirely his fault as the defense failed to clear the zone and Denmark pounced on a free puck in front of the net.

However, the second and third were borderline pathetic which kept Denmark in a game they had no business being in.

I’m sorry but this is pathetic.

You don’t allow a goal like this in the Olympics if you’re serious.

The United States needs to wake up.pic.twitter.com/UXXp5C9leH

— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) February 14, 2026

As the Danes attempted to simply dump and change in the first period, defenseman N.B. Jensen shot the puck from near the middle of the ice which unfortunately ended up in the Americans net as Swayman lost sight of it.

2-1 Denmark.

In regard to the third, while JT Miller did somewhat screen his own goaltender, Swayman failed to relocate a slapshot from the point which hit his shoulder on its way into the net just before the second period expired.

In no world can that happen.

Doesn’t matter if the boards are dark or if the puck slightly changes directions, a goal cannot be allowed on a shot from the neutral zone.

Not at the Olympics.

Not by Team USA.

Overall, I get what the United States was going for against Denmark.

On the first half of a back-to-back, the Americans wanted to rest Connor Hellebuyck so he could be fresh for Germany on Sunday.

But let this be a lesson.

Swayman is too much of a risk and shouldn’t be relied upon moving forward.

Jack Eichel’s line led the way with tenacity and passion to get USA back on track

While the final scoreboard read 6-3 in favor of the Americans, the battle with Denmark was anything but a walk in the park.

After yet another slow start for Team USA, Auston Matthews and Co. trailed Denmark 2-1 after 20 minutes.

Enter Jack Eichel and the Tkachuk brothers.

In desperate need of a spark, the top line took charge as they dialed up the energy, suffocated the Danes on the forecheck and scored a pair of greasy goals to take their first lead of the day.

BRADY TKACHUK. 🚨 Rips short side and makes it look EASY. #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/USGJrifYnS

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 14, 2026

TWO GOALS IN 57 SECONDS. USA TAKES THE LEAD. 🦅#WinterOlympics on Peacock and USA pic.twitter.com/cpX398Pvjs

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 14, 2026

This is the style of hockey the United States needs to embrace from puck drop in every single contest moving forward.

Smash mouth, in your face, gritty, scrappy hockey.

Doing whatever it takes to win the important battles and force the opposition into submission as early as possible.

Luckily, the rest of the team followed suit as Noah Hanifin went five-hole, Jake Guentzel buried a blazing one-timer and Jack Hughes banked one off the goaltender’s skate to put the game out of reach.

It is RAINING goals in the second period. 🙌#WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/539DZPqXLh

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 14, 2026

Jack Hughes gives Team USA PLENTY of cushion. #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/GPq8hbkHwk

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) February 14, 2026

Thus far, USA’s effort in the first period has been borderline abysmal.

That has to change as they close out the preliminary round against Germany and advance to the playoff round.

USA needs to learn from their result against Denmark if they want to win gold

Despite a fairly comfortable 6-3 victory over Denmark, there were still far too many mistakes by the United States in that game.

From the slow start to Swayman’s performance between the pipes, JT Miller’s friendly fire screen and Matthews late penalty, that performance was far from perfect and needs to serve as a lesson if USA wants to win gold.

Why exactly?

Well, those are the types of mistakes that better teams (Canada, Finland, Sweden) will exploit to devour their opponents.

You start slow against Canada?

They’ll drown you out with a 3-0 lead heading into the first break.

Give up a goal from the neutral zone against Finland?

Suddenly you’re trailing 4-1 as they seized momentum and your goaltender lacks confidence.

How about a late penalty against the Swedes?

William Nylander buries one on the power play and you’re fighting for your life to avoid OT.

These are inexcusable mistakes.

Things that cannot happen if the United States is serious about claiming their first gold in almost 50 years.

So, while those mistakes didn’t end up costing them against the Danes and they’re still in control at the top of Group C, it’s time to buckle down.

Finish strong with a statement victory over Germany and enter the playoff round with every ounce of momentum.

As of right now, Canada seems destined for the gold.

USA simply needs to be better if they wish to challenge that squad and defy the odds.

What’s next for Team USA Hockey?

After defeating Denmark, the United States Men’s hockey team will play Germany on Sunday at 1:10 p.m. MT.

Following their victory over Italy, the United States Women’s hockey team will face Sweden in the semifinal on Monday.

Puck drop is TBD.

Both games will be available via stream on Peacock

Cole Bagley is the Utah Mammoth insider for KSL Sports. Keep up with him on X here. You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV. 

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