2026 Olympic Men’s Hockey: Key Highlights and Insights from Feb. 11

The men’s Olympic hockey tournament kicked off with a thrilling opening day that featured unexpected results and standout performances. Two games were played on this inaugural day, showcasing the intensity and excitement of Olympic competition.

2026 Olympic Men’s Hockey: Slovakia Pulls Off an Upset

Slovakia, the defending bronze medalists, triumphed over Finland, the 2022 Olympic champions, with a decisive score of 4-1. This surprising upset was marked by an impressive performance from Slovak goaltender Samuel Hlavaj, who made 38 saves. Juraj Slafkovsky emerged as the star of the match, scoring twice and showcasing his Olympic prowess.

Game Summary: Slovakia vs Finland

• Final Score: Slovakia 4, Finland 1
• Key Players:
  • Juraj Slafkovsky – 2 goals
  • Samuel Hlavaj – 38 saves
  • Dalibor Dvorsky – 1 goal

Slovakia took control early, with Slafkovsky scoring first at 7:45 into the game. Finland responded with a power play goal from Eeli Tolvanen, but could not find the net again. Late in the third period, Slovakia sealed the victory with goals from Dvorsky and Adam Ruzicka.

Sweden Edges Out Italy

The second match saw Sweden face a spirited Italian team. Although Sweden was favored, Italy put up a tough fight, ultimately losing 5-2. This match marked a significant moment for Italy, who celebrated their first Olympic goal in two decades.

Game Summary: Sweden vs Italy

• Final Score: Sweden 5, Italy 2
• Key Players:
  • William Nylander – 1 goal
  • Damian Clara – 46 saves
  • Luca Frigo – Italy’s first goal in 20 years

Italy initially led the game with a goal from Luca Frigo. Despite Sweden taking control with two goals in the first period, Italy tied the game early in the second through Matt Bradley. Sweden’s consistent pressure culminated in late goals, ensuring their victory.

Upcoming Matches

Teams will now prepare for their next matches, with Slovakia set to compete against Italy and Finland facing Sweden. Both games are scheduled for Friday at 6:10 AM ET.

Notable Performers

Here are some top performers from the opening day:

The 2026 Olympic men’s hockey tournament is set to unfold with more thrilling matchups, as teams vie for glory in Milan.