February 14th, 2026 - Denmark Pushes U.S., but No Miracle Upset Materializes

When people think of American Olympic hockey, they often picture the 1980 “Miracle on Ice”; a scrappy group of college players shocking the world. But on Saturday night in Milan, the roles were reversed. This time, the United States arrived as the powerhouse, stacked with N.H.L. stars, while Denmark played the underdog, relying mostly on European league players and only a few lesser-known N.H.L. names.

For a moment, though, it felt like history might twist again. Denmark grabbed an early lead, surrendered it, then struck back to finish the first period ahead 2–1. Frustration boiled over as Brady Tkachuk of the United States threw a punch at Denmark’s Oliver Lauridsen as the buzzer sounded, adding tension to an already charged matchup.

The upset bid, however, did not last. The Americans regrouped quickly, leaning on their depth and star power. Jack Eichel, of the Vegas Golden Knights, delivered a goal and an assist, helping power the United States to a 6–3 victory and a 2–0 start in the Olympic tournament.

The game also carried political undertones. President Donald Trump has repeatedly signaled interest in Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Just hours before the puck dropped, Denmark’s prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, addressed a European security conference in Munich and called the pressure on Greenland “unacceptable.”

With N.H.L. players back in the Olympics for the first time since 2014, expectations for teams like the United States and Canada are sky-high. The Americans showed resilience in overcoming Denmark, but tougher opponents lie ahead.

If they hope to contend for gold, the United States cannot afford slow starts against stronger teams. The depth and talent are there but as Olympic history has shown, momentum can shift quickly on the ice.

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Example: Two lovers were canoodling on a park bench.

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