Team USA overcame another slow start to beat Denmark, 6-3, in its second preliminary round game. Goaltender Jeremy Swayman turned in a shaky performance, but the team in front of him got better as the game progressed and pulled away in the third period,

Trailing 2-1 after the first period, the U.S. needed a spark, and Brady Tkachuk found one. He ripped home the tying goal off an offensive zone faceoff midway through the second period, and just 57 seconds later, Jack Eichel gave the Americans the lead on a similar play.

Team USA needed that boost because it started slowly for the second game in a row. Mistake-filled hockey from the Americans was magnified by Swayman, who got the start in goal while Connor Hellebuyck rested. Swayman allowed three goals, and the blame for two of them rested on his shoulders. The most egregious goal against came on a shot that was floated in from the center red line.

Noah Hanifin scored what would ultimately become the game-winner when he followed up his own blocked shot and snuck the rebound through the legs of Sogaard. Jake Guentzel and Jack Hughers were able to provide some insurance in the third period.

Team USA is now in position to take a top-two seed into the knockout round, and it can finish off a perfect 3-0-0-0 run in preliminary play with a win over Leon Draisaitl and Germany on Sunday afternoon.

U.S. men’s hockey schedule

All times Eastern

Preliminary round

• Thursday, Feb. 12: USA 5, Latvia 1
• Saturday, Feb. 14: USA 6, Denmark 3
• USA vs. Germany | Sunday, Feb. 15 | 3:10 p.m. | USA Network

Quarterfinal

• TBD vs. TBD | Wednesday, Feb. 18 | 3:10 p.m. | TBD

Semifinal

• TBD vs. TBD | Friday, Feb. 20 | 3:10 p.m. | TBD

Bronze medal game

• TBD vs. TBD | Saturday, Feb. 21 | 2:10 p.m. | TBD

Gold medal game

• TBD vs. TBD | Sunday, Feb. 22 | 8:10 a.m. | TBD