Team USA goalie Jeremy Swayman allows disastrous half-ice goal in game vs. Denmark

Half-court shots are common in basketball, but it’s rare to see a hockey goal scored from center ice — with a goalie in the net.

The Americans, who were favored to win this Group C matchup, quickly felt the heat from the spirited Danish team, which came into the game as the underdog.

A victory for the United States would likely guarantee advancement to the quarterfinals, whereas a defeat could require a difficult matchup against Sweden.

Following Connor Hellebuyck’s win over Latvia, Jeremy Swayman got the start for Team USA.

The Sporting News takes a look at the horrendous goal Swayman allowed.

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Denmark half-ice goal

During the men's ice hockey preliminary match at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Denmark scored an incredible "half-ice" goal to take a 2–1 lead against Team USA.

DENMARK SCORES FROM CENTER ICE. 🤯#WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/jELsaAl6Fb

Danish defenseman Nicholas B. Jensen was credited with the goal at 11:16 in the first period. The shot was made from about 95 feet away, just past the center-ice red line.

Who is Team USA's goalie

Although Team USA has a rotation of goalies, Swayman was the starting goalie against Denmark and ultimately allowed a shot from center ice.

Jeremy Swayman NHL team

Swayman is a goaltender for the Boston Bruins. He is the team's main starter, having signed a significant eight-year, $66 million extension in October 2024, which guarantees his stay in Boston through the 2031–32 season.

Since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Swayman has played his entire professional career with the Bruins organization.

Why did Jeremy Swayman start over Connor Hellebuyck?

Team USA coach Mike Sullivan selected Swayman to start against Denmark mainly to handle his goaltenders' workload amid a busy schedule of three games in four nights. 

The United States competed against Denmark on Saturday and is scheduled to play against Germany on Sunday. By deploying Swayman in the match against Denmark, the coaching staff ensured that Hellebuyck would remain well-rested for the decisive round-robin encounter with Germany.

Is Jeremy Swayman good?

Swayman is widely recognized as one of the most promising young goaltenders in the NHL.

While he made a notable mistake at the 2026 Winter Olympics, his impressive professional record and multimillion-dollar contract highlight his status as a top athlete.

He regularly ranks near the top in Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx), a key stat that showcases a goalie's skill in stopping shots that seem difficult to save.

Throughout his career with the Bruins, Swayman has maintained a strong win-loss record and was named a 2024 NHL All-Star.

Who are team USA's other goalies?

Team USA is leveraging its depth over a demanding schedule of three games in four nights, with the current roster featuring three top-tier goaltenders.