Slovakia vs. Finland: 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics Opener Set
The much-anticipated Men’s Hockey Tournament of the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics is now under way. This year’s edition features NHL players, marking the first participation since the 2014 Sochi Olympics. The tournament includes 12 teams playing three preliminary games within their groups, followed by a single-elimination playoff that leads to the gold medal match on February 22.
Slovakia vs. Finland: Match Overview
The opening match of the tournament features Slovakia facing off against Finland. Scheduled for 10:40 a.m. ET, the game will be broadcasted on platforms including Peacock, USA Network, ICI Télé, CBC Gem, TSN, and CBC.
Team Finland: Defending Champions
- Finland enters the tournament as the reigning Olympic champions, having secured their first gold medal at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
- The team returns 18 out of 23 players from their squad in the 4 Nations Face-Off held last February.
- Key additions include defensemen Miro Heiskanen from the Dallas Stars and Rasmus Ristolainen from the Philadelphia Flyers, who missed the previous tournament due to injuries.
Team Slovakia: Looking for Redemption
- Slovakia boasts 10 players from their bronze medal-winning team at the 2022 Olympics, marking a historic achievement for the nation in Olympic ice hockey.
- Notably, Juraj Slafkovsky, a forward for the Montreal Canadiens, was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, scoring seven goals in just seven games.
Historic Context
The upcoming game signifies a notable rivalry. Finland previously defeated Slovakia 5-3 in the bronze medal match during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. This event marks the only Olympic matchup between these nations featuring NHL players, a context that adds excitement to their inaugural encounter in the 2026 tournament.
The stakes are high, and both teams are eager to make an impact as the Olympics initiate the thrilling journey towards the gold medal at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games.
