The U.S. men’s hockey team kicked off its 2026 Milan Winter Olympics campaign with a commanding 5-1 victory over Latvia on Thursday night in Milan. Brock Nelson led the charge with two goals, while the Americans showcased their NHL talent in a dominant display after shaking off an early tie.
Despite having two early goals disallowed by coach’s challenges and Latvia tying the score at 1-1, Team USA found its rhythm and controlled the puck for most of the game. The win sets a strong tone for the preliminary round, highlighting the depth of the roster packed with top NHL stars.
First period tests U.S. resolve
Brady Tkachuk opened the scoring for the U.S. less than six minutes in, capitalizing on a centering pass to beat Elvis Merzlikins. The Ottawa Senators forward wristed a shot past the Columbus Blue Jackets netminder, giving the Americans an early lead.
Latvia responded quickly, tying the game at 1-1 through persistent play. The Latvians challenged two U.S. goals successfully—one for offsides and another for goaltender interference—keeping the score level heading into the first intermission.
Team USA outshot Latvia 15-9 in the period, but Connor Hellebuyck faced minimal pressure early on. The Winnipeg Jets goaltender made routine saves, setting the stage for a breakout second period.
The physicality ramped up as both teams adjusted to Olympic intensity. U.S. coach Mike Sullivan’s line decisions paid off, blending speed and size effectively.
Latvia’s defense held firm initially, frustrating the Americans’ top lines. Yet, the shot disparity hinted at the dominance to come.
Second period explosion seals the deal
Brock Nelson broke the deadlock at 10:38 of the second, going forehand-to-backhand on an odd-man rush to tuck the puck past Merzlikins. The play featured crisp passing among Jack Hughes, Quinn Hughes, Matthew Tkachuk, and back to Jack before Nelson finished.
Tage Thompson extended the lead on the power play at 17:35, roofing a nifty backhander. The 6-foot-6 Buffalo Sabres winger showcased his reach on the top unit, making Sullivan’s lineup choice look brilliant.
Nelson struck again with 11.1 seconds left, tapping in a half-open net after a Harlem Globetrotters-style sequence: Jack to Quinn to Matthew, back to Jack, and finally Nelson. Merzlikins was pulled after four goals on 32 shots, replaced by Arturs Silovs for the third.
The U.S. poured on 17 shots in the period, while Latvia managed just six. Hellebuyck remained steady, preserving the shutout until late.
This frame turned the game into a rout, with the Americans’ skill overwhelming Latvia’s grit.
Third period power play caps rout
Auston Matthews welcomed Silovs with a power-play goal just 2:35 in, assisted by Jack Eichel and Quinn Hughes. The Toronto Maple Leafs captain rifled his shot, making it 5-1.
The U.S. coasted from there, outshooting Latvia 38-18 overall. Hellebuyck finished with 17 saves in an easy workload.
Latvia pushed for a consolation but couldn’t crack the defense. The final score reflected America’s superior talent and execution.
Key contributors shone:
- Goals: Brady Tkachuk (1), Brock Nelson (2), Tage Thompson (1), Auston Matthews (1)
- Two assists each: Jack Hughes, Quinn Hughes, Matthew Tkachuk, Jack Eichel
This performance validated pre-tournament hype, as detailed in our preview on the U.S. men’s hockey team ready to chase Olympic gold in Milan.
Path forward in group play
The U.S. faces Denmark on Saturday night, followed by Germany on Sunday to wrap up preliminaries. Early results show parity elsewhere, with upsets like Slovakia over Finland, as noted in our 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics men’s hockey standings and schedule coverage.
Sullivan emphasized team chemistry post-game, praising the power play’s efficiency.
Hellebuyck’s calm presence bodes well for tougher tests. Latvia, featuring NHLers like Merzlikins, showed fight but lacked depth.
Canada’s 5-0 win over Czechia underscores North American strength. The U.S. aims to top Group C—or B, per schedules—and enter knockouts seeded high.
Fan excitement builds, with NHL jerseys debuting in Olympic glory. For full highlights, check the ESPN recap.
This opener proves the Americans are gold contenders, blending star power with grit. Expect fireworks as the tournament heats up in Milano Cortina.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.