By: Chad Jones | Follow me on Twitter/X @ShutUpChadJones
For their opening game of the 2026 Winter Olympics, Team USA beat Team Latvia 5-1. The hockey was tremendous at Milano Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy.
First Period
Early on, Team USA pressured. Dylan Larkin nearly backhanded a goal into a gaping cage but could not slide the puck in from that angle. Latvia responded with a solid forecheck for much of the period.
Team USA got the scoring started just over five minutes into the contest. Zach Werenski made a great play at center ice to get the puck to Matthew Tkachuk. He then delivered a slick pass to his brother. Brady Tkachuk promptly ripped the puck off the post and in from the slot.
It looked like Quinn Hughes quickly scored soon after, but Team Latvia challenged for an offside. It was determined that Brock Nelson entered the zone without possession of the puck, so the challenge was successful.
Not even 30 seconds later, Team Latvia was on the attack. Another aggressive forecheck led to a turnover in the defensive zone by Matt Boldy. It caused chaos in front of Team USA’s net. Renars Krastenbergs potted a backhand goal past Connor Hellebuyck.
Team USA thought they reclaimed the lead past the halfway point on a tipped goal, but Team Latvia again challenged the play, this time for goaltender interference. It was determined that J.T. Miller made enough contact with Elvis Merzlikins to take the goal away.
Immediately after the disallowed score, Team Latvia came close to taking the lead. With Hellebuyck out of position, Boldy made a sprawling effort to deflect the puck with his stick out of harm’s way. Without Boldy’s heads-up play, Team Latvia would have claimed the lead.
Team USA was truly snakebitten in the opening frame. They hit two posts/crossbars, had two goals disallowed, and heavily dictated the pace of play. However, the game was tied 1-1 heading into the first intermission.
Second Period
In the opening minute, Team USA found themselves shorthanded after a questionable hooking call against Jake Guentzel. But Hellebuyck and the penalty killers stayed firm to keep the score at one aside.
Around the middle of the frame, Jack Hughes showed off his incredible offensive skillset. Corralling the puck behind the net, Hughes slid near the right faceoff circle. He then delivered a perfect pass to Nelson, who had all kinds of space to work with. A forehand backhand maneuver proved too much for Merzlikins, and Nelson buried the attempt to reclaim the lead for Team USA.
During the middle frame, Team USA imposed their will on Team Latvia. They dominated play in the offensive zone and peppered Merzlikins. And their power play was clinical.
Near the end of the session, Tage Thompson roofed a backhanded attempt just underneath the bar from close range to give Team USA a 3-1 advantage.
With under a minute to go, Jack Hughes and Nelson put a bow on the frame by again linking up for an absolutely beautiful goal. Hughes showed brilliant patience and passing ability, and Nelson buried the slot shot to balloon Team USA’s advantage to 4-1. That would be the score heading into the final frame.
Third Period
Auston Matthews ripped home a power play goal from the slot early in the period after a pass from Jack Eichel found its way to the prime scoring area. Team USA established a comfortable 5-1 lead and never looked back.
The rest of the game was a formality, as Team USA stayed solid to secure a 5-1 victory. The shot total was 37-17 in their favor.
Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy was solid on the ice. He was a major cog in Team USA’s defensive unit. He skated mostly on the first pair with Quinn Hughes and was a key pillar on the penalty kill unit.
Team USA’s next matchup will be against Team Denmark on Saturday. Puck drop is slated for 3 p.m. ET.
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