Team USA Dominates Slovakia 6-2, Sets Stage for Epic Gold Medal Clash with Canada at 2026 Olympics
February 20, 2026
In a commanding display of offensive firepower and defensive solidity, the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team crushed Slovakia 6-2 in the semifinals of the 2026 Winter Olympics at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, securing a highly anticipated gold medal showdown against arch-rival Canada.[1][2][3]
The victory propels Team USA into Sunday’s final at 2:10 p.m. CET (8:10 a.m. ET), broadcast live on NBC and streamed on Peacock, marking a rematch of classic Olympic battles and a chance to end a 14-year gold medal drought in men’s hockey.[1][2][5]
Lightning-Fast Start Sets the Tone
Team USA wasted no time asserting dominance, lighting the lamp twice in the first period to take a 2-0 lead into the locker room. Dylan Larkin opened the scoring at 4:19, rifling a shot past Slovakia’s starter Samuel Hlavaj, assisted by Zach Werenski and Tage Thompson.[1][4]
With just 41 seconds left in the frame, Tage Thompson capitalized on a power play, converting a setup from Jack Eichel and Quinn Hughes to extend the advantage.[1][3][4]
Hughes and Eichel Take Over in Second Period
The second period belonged to Jack Hughes, who erupted for two goals, showcasing his elite skill set. At 12:14, Hughes deked a defender with a signature shimmy-shake before roofing a shot to make it 3-0, with Werenski picking up his third assist.[2][3][4]
Just 19 seconds later, Jack Eichel buried a backhand on a feed from Brady Tkachuk and Matthew Tkachuk, pushing the score to 4-0.[3][4] Hughes wasn’t done; with 1:36 remaining, he one-timed a rebound off the boards from Werenski’s shot, completing his brace and giving the U.S. a commanding 5-0 cushion.[2][3]
Werenski’s three assists were pivotal, underlining the blue-liner’s playmaking prowess, while Hlavaj was pulled after allowing five goals on 23 shots. Reliever Stanislav Skorvanek faced 16 shots, stopping 15.[2][3]
Slovakia’s Late Push Falls Short
Slovakia finally solved Connor Hellebuyck in the third, as Juraj Slafkovsky wristed home his fourth goal of the tournament at 4:55, assisted by Adam Ruzicka and Martin Fehervary.[1][2][4]
Brady Tkachuk restored the five-goal lead at 10:52, sliding a backhand five-hole on a breakaway assist from Vincent Trocheck and Noah Hanifin.[4][6]
Pavol Regenda notched Slovakia’s second at 13:17 during an odd-man rush, assisted by Milos Kelemen and Fehervary, but it was too little, too late in the 6-2 final.[1][2][4]
Hellebuyck earned the win with 22 saves on 24 shots, anchoring a defense that outshot Slovakia 39-24.[2][3] The U.S. converted 1 of 5 power plays, while Slovakia went 0-for-5.[2]
Stars Shine, Momentum Builds
Hughes (2G), Eichel (1G, 1A), Thompson (1G, 1A), and Tkachuk (1G, 1A) led the attack, with Werenski’s three helpers stealing the show.[1][3] Coach Mike Sullivan praised his squad’s fast start: “It was great to see us get off to a fast start… Our group continues to take steps forward.”[2]
Goalie Hellebuyck echoed the confidence: “We have chemistry. We have awesome D-men. We have awesome scorers… We have it all.”[3]
Slovakia’s Fehervary lamented: “We didn’t play the hockey we played all tournament. They have a pretty good team.” The Slovaks drop to the bronze medal game against Finland on Saturday.[3]
Path to Gold: USA vs. Canada Looms Large
This marks the first U.S.-Canada Olympic men’s hockey final since 2010, when Canada edged the Americans 3-2 in overtime for gold in Vancouver. Team USA’s quarterfinal thriller—a 2-1 OT win over Sweden—built the momentum for this semifinal rout.[3]
With NHL stars like Hughes, Eichel, Larkin, and the Tkachuk brothers, the Americans boast depth and star power. Canada, having advanced past higher seeds, presents a formidable challenge in what promises to be an instant classic.[1][5]
Fans can catch the gold medal game live, as the U.S. aims to reclaim Olympic supremacy on the world stage in Milan Cortina 2026.