US Men's Hockey Team Reaches 2026 Olympics Gold Medal Game After Beating Slovakia

The US men's hockey team is going to the gold medal game! This is their first chance at Olympic gold in 16 years.
By Newsroom | Sports, Winter Olympics |

The United States men's hockey team has secured a spot in the gold medal game of the 2026 Winter Olympics, following a semifinal victory over Slovakia. The team's performance in this crucial match means they are one win away from potentially claiming the Olympic gold.

Path to the Final

The U.S. men's hockey team's journey to the gold medal game involved a significant semifinal showdown against Slovakia. This match was part of the larger 2026 Winter Olympics tournament.

Live updates: USA strikes first vs. Slovakia in men's hockey semifinal - 1

  • Key Match: The semifinal game against Slovakia determined which team would advance to compete for the gold medal.

  • Previous Success: The U.S. men's team had previously defeated Sweden in the quarterfinals, with Quinn Hughes scoring the overtime goal that secured their advancement.

  • Opportunity: A victory over Slovakia offered the U.S. men's team their first chance to play for Olympic gold in 16 years.

Game Details

The semifinal game between the United States and Slovakia took place on Friday, February 20, 2026. The match was held at the Milano Santagiulia Arena in Milan, Italy, with a scheduled start time of 3:10 p.m. ET.

Broadcast Information

Coverage of the game was available through various broadcast partners.

Live updates: USA strikes first vs. Slovakia in men's hockey semifinal - 2

  • United States: NBC and Peacock provided television and streaming coverage.

  • Canada: CBC and CBC Gem broadcast the game.

Game Progression and Outcome

Reports indicate that the United States took an early lead in the game and maintained control.

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  • Early Lead: The U.S. team established a 1-0 lead in the first period, according to reports from Sports Illustrated.

  • Second Period Advantage: By a later update, the U.S. had extended their lead to 2-0 against Slovakia.

  • Scoring Summary:

  • Tage Thompson scored the first goal on a power play, with assists from Jack Eichel and Quinn Hughes.

  • Dylan Larkin scored the second goal, assisted by Zach Werenski and Tage Thompson.

The final score and the exact margin of victory are not explicitly detailed across all sources, but the overall outcome points to a U.S. win.

Live updates: USA strikes first vs. Slovakia in men's hockey semifinal - 3

Context of the Tournament

The men's semifinal victory occurred in the context of the broader 2026 Winter Olympics, with notable events involving other U.S. teams.

  • Women's Hockey Success: The U.S. women's hockey team had previously won the gold medal, achieving victory over Canada in a significant final match.

  • Curling Competition: In a separate event, the U.S. women's curling team was defeated by Switzerland in their semifinal match, moving them to a bronze medal playoff against Canada.

Future Implications

With their advancement, the U.S. men's hockey team is slated to compete in the gold medal game on Sunday. Should they lose the semifinal, they would have played in the bronze medal game on Saturday. The opponent for the gold medal game is not specified in the provided reports.

Live updates: USA strikes first vs. Slovakia in men's hockey semifinal - 4

Expert and Betting Perspectives

While direct expert analysis of the semifinal game itself is not present in the provided summaries, betting odds offered a view of expectations prior to the match.

  • Betting Favorite: DraftKings Sportsbook identified Team USA as a strong favorite, noting their favor on the money line and as a 2.5-goal favorite on the puck line.

Sources

Note: One source (USA Today) had a low priority status and failed extraction, so it was not included in the source list. Flashscore includes a disclaimer about gambling.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did the US men's hockey team get to the gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
The team beat Slovakia in the semifinal game on Friday, February 20, 2026. They had also beaten Sweden in the quarterfinals.
Q: What was the score of the US vs. Slovakia semifinal game on February 20, 2026?
The US team led 1-0 in the first period and was up 2-0 later in the game. Tage Thompson and Dylan Larkin scored the goals.
Q: When and where is the 2026 Winter Olympics men's hockey gold medal game?
The gold medal game is scheduled for Sunday, February 22, 2026, at the Milano Santagiulia Arena in Milan, Italy. The opponent is not yet known.
Q: Did the US women's hockey team win gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Yes, the US women's hockey team won the gold medal by defeating Canada in their final game.
Q: Where could I watch the US men's hockey team's gold medal game on February 22, 2026?
In the United States, NBC and Peacock will broadcast the game. In Canada, CBC and CBC Gem will show the game.