Team USA Dominates Slovakia 6-2 to Secure Gold Medal Clash with Canada at Milano Cortina 2026
Played on Friday, February 20, at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, the match showcased Team USA’s offensive firepower and defensive solidity, as they built a 5-0 lead through two periods before holding off a late Slovakian rally.[1][2][3]
Jack Hughes Leads Offensive Onslaught
Jack Hughes starred for the Americans with two goals, while defenseman Zach Werenski notched a game-high three assists, dictating play from the blue line.[2][3] The scoring began early in the first period when Dylan Larkin opened the tally at 4:19, assisted by Werenski and Tage Thompson.[4]
With just 41 seconds left in the opening frame, Thompson extended the lead to 2-0 on a power-play goal, setting the tone for USA’s relentless pressure.[1][4] Hughes then took over the second period, roofing a shot at 12:14 after a slick shimmy move to make it 3-0.[2][4]
Just 19 seconds later, Jack Eichel buried a backhand for 4-0, assisted by Brady Tkachuk and Matthew Tkachuk.[4] Hughes struck again at 18:24 with a sharp-angled one-timer off a Werenski rebound, pushing the score to 5-0 and forcing Slovakia to pull starting goalie Samuel Hlavaj after 23 shots.[2][3][4]
Slovakia Fights Back Late, But USA Seals It
Slovakia finally responded in the third period, with Juraj Slafkovsky wristing home a goal at 4:55 from the slot, assisted by Adam Ruzicka and Martin Fehervary.[3][4] Brady Tkachuk restored the five-goal margin at 10:52 on a breakaway backhand, his third goal of the tournament.[4]
Pavol Regenda added a second for Slovakia at 13:17 on an odd-man rush, but it was too little, too late, as Team USA goaltender Connor Hellebuyck preserved the win with 22 saves on 24 shots.[1][2][3]
Path to the Final: USA’s Tournament Momentum
This semifinal rout came two nights after a gritty 2-1 overtime quarterfinal win over Sweden, highlighting Team USA’s resilience and depth.[2] The Americans outshot Slovakia 39-24 and went 1-for-5 on the power play, while Slovakia managed 0-for-5.[3]
“I think we have everything,” Hellebuyck said post-game. “We have chemistry. We have awesome D-men. We have awesome scorers, playmakers, penalty kill, power play. Like, we have it all.”[2]
Slovakia alternate captain Martin Fehervary admitted, “We didn’t play the hockey we played all tournament. They have a pretty good team.” The Slovaks now face Finland in the bronze medal game on Saturday.[2]
Gold Medal Preview: USA vs. Canada Renews Classic Rivalry
The gold medal game pits the top-seeded Americans against second-seeded Canada on Sunday at 8:10 a.m. ET, a matchup steeped in hockey history.[1] Canada advanced with their own semifinal win, setting up what promises to be an epic battle between two NHL-heavy rosters.
Team USA’s key contributors include Hughes (3 goals in the tournament), Eichel, Thompson, and Tkachuk, each with a goal and assist in the semifinal.[1][2] Werenski’s playmaking from the back end has been pivotal, while Hellebuyck’s steady netminding anchors the defense.[3]
| Period | Team | Goal Scorer (Time) | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | USA | Dylan Larkin (4:19) | Werenski, Thompson |
| 1st | USA | Tage Thompson PP (19:19) | Eichel, Q. Hughes |
| 2nd | USA | Jack Hughes (12:14) | Werenski |
| 2nd | USA | Jack Eichel (12:33) | B. Tkachuk, M. Tkachuk |
| 2nd | USA | Jack Hughes (18:24) | Werenski, Boldy |
| 3rd | SVK | Juraj Slafkovsky (4:55) | Ruzicka, Fehervary |
| 3rd | USA | Brady Tkachuk (10:52) | Trocheck, Hanifin |
| 3rd | SVK | Pavol Regenda (13:17) | Kelemen, Fehervary |
Tournament Context and Stakes
The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics mark the return of NHL players to the Olympic stage after their absence in 2018 and 2022, injecting star power into the competition.[5][6] Team USA, coached by David Quinn, entered as the top seed and has lived up to expectations with balanced scoring from its NHL contingent.
Slovakia, led by young star Slafkovsky, aimed for their first-ever Olympic gold medal game appearance but fell short against USA’s depth.[2] Relief goalie Stanislav Skorvanek made 15 saves in the loss.[2]
Video highlights from NBC Sports captured the electric atmosphere, with Hughes’ second goal and Tkachuk’s breakaway drawing massive cheers.[5][6][7]
As the puck drops for gold, all eyes are on whether Team USA can claim Olympic supremacy over Canada, renewing one of hockey’s fiercest rivalries. Coverage airs live on NBC and Peacock.