The U.S. men's hockey team defeated Slovakia 6-2 in the Olympic semifinals on Friday night, advancing to face Canada for the gold medal on Sunday. Jack Hughes scored two goals in the victory, which followed inspiration from the U.S. women's team's overtime win over Canada for gold. The matchup revives a rivalry seen in recent international play.
The U.S. men's hockey team secured a spot in the gold medal game at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics by routing Slovakia 6-2 in the semifinals. The win sets up a highly anticipated final against Canada, the tournament's top seed, on Sunday. This North American showdown echoes the intense rivalry from the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament a year earlier, where Canada won the final in overtime after a physical opener.
Inspired by the U.S. women's team's dramatic overtime victory over Canada in the gold medal game on Thursday, the men entered their semifinal with added motivation. Coach Mike Sullivan highlighted the women's dominance, noting they outscored opponents 33-2 en route to gold. "Those girls, what a terrific hockey team and they’ll be an inspiration for the next generation," Sullivan said after a team skate. He added that his squad aspires to match their success, calling it one of the best women's teams he has seen.
In the game against Slovakia, which had made an improbable run to the semifinals, the U.S. took control early. Dylan Larkin, Tage Thompson, Jack Hughes, and Jack Eichel scored the four goals that forced Slovak goaltender Samuel Hlavaj from the net midway through the second period. Hughes added his second goal shortly after a power play ended, and Brady Tkachuk sealed the win with a breakaway score late in the third. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck made key saves, validating Sullivan's choice as starter over other NHL options.
Thompson left the game after blocking a shot and did not return. The U.S. outshot Slovakia substantially, advancing after a tougher quarterfinal overtime win over Sweden. Slovakia will face Finland for bronze on Saturday, seeking a second medal after third place in 2022.
Players like Quinn and Jack Hughes, who watched the women's final, expressed excitement. "We were going nuts," Dylan Larkin said of the women's overtime goal by Megan Keller. The U.S. last reached the men's final in 2010, losing to Canada on Sidney Crosby's overtime goal. Crosby's status remains uncertain due to a quarterfinal injury.
