U.S. men win, keep pace with Canada for top seed at Olympics - ESPN
ESPN
February 15, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The U.S. men's hockey team secured a 6-3 victory over Denmark at the Olympics, keeping pace with Canada for the top seed in the tournament. Despite trailing early, the Americans relied on their top line—Jack Eichel, Brady Tkachuk, and Matthew Tkachuk—to stage a comeback. Eichel scored twice, including a crucial goal off his own faceoff win, while Brady Tkachuk added another to help tie the game midway through the second period. The U.S. defense, led by Noah Hanifin, also contributed with key goals, providing essential breathing room for the team.
The match saw Denmark put up a strong fight, particularly with a long-range goal from Nicholas B. Jensen and a late tally from Phillip Bruggisser. However, the U.S. responded with determination, highlighted by Jake Guentzel's one-timer and Jack Hughes' assist after Sogaard was replaced due to injury. Captain Auston Matthews and Zach Werenski also played significant roles, with Werenski redeeming himself after an earlier defensive error.
The win brings the U.S. level with Canada on six points in the standings as the preliminary round nears its end. The team will face Germany in their final game, while Canada takes on France. A victory for both teams in regulation would determine the top seed based on goal differential. This pivotal match underscores the high stakes of Olympic competition and reinforces the U.S. team's resilience and teamwork.
Sports fans following the Olympics will find this outcome compelling, as it keeps the tournament's narrative dynamic. The U.S. and Canada's neck-and-neck race for first place adds excitement to the final stages of the group stage. With both teams poised to advance, the battle for top seed sets the tone for a potentially historic run in the knockout round.
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Originally published on ESPN on 2/15/2026