USA Men’s Hockey Kicks Off Olympic Play Against Latvia: Live Updates
The USA Men’s Hockey Team has made its way to Milan, Italy, to kick off their journey in the 2026 Winter Olympics. Before stepping onto the ice, the team received their official Olympic gear from Ralph Lauren.
Match Overview: USA vs. Latvia
The team’s first matchup is against Latvia at the Milano Santagiulia Arena. The puck drop is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. ET. This marks the beginning of a highly anticipated tournament for the Americans, who are eager to showcase their talents.
Team Roster and Key Players
The USA has entered the tournament with significant expectations, bolstered by a roster filled with NHL talent at every position. Leading the team are notable players:
- Forwards: Matt Boldy, Kyle Connor, Jack Eichel, Jake Guentzel, Jack Hughes, Clayton Keller, Dylan Larkin, J.T. Miller, Brock Nelson, Tage Thompson, Brady Tkachuk, Matthew Tkachuk, Vincent Trocheck
- Defensemen: Brock Faber, Noah Hanifin, Quinn Hughes, Jackson LaCombe, Charlie McAvoy, Jake Sanderson, Jaccob Slavin, Zach Werenski
- Goalies: Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, Jeremy Swayman
Connor Hellebuyck, a standout goalkeeper, will start against Latvia. He played a pivotal role during last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, further solidifying his position as the American team’s number one goalie.
Game Schedule
Following their matchup against Latvia, the USA will face Denmark and Germany in the preliminary round:
- Saturday: USA vs. Denmark
- Sunday: USA vs. Germany
If the USA can secure a victory in their group, they will earn a bye into the next round of the tournament.
Tournament Structure
The Olympic men’s hockey tournament consists of 12 teams divided into three groups.
| Group A | Group B | Group C |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | Finland | USA |
| Switzerland | Sweden | Germany |
| Czechia | Slovakia | Latvia |
| France | Italy | Denmark |
Each team competes in a round-robin format, facing the other three teams in their group. Teams earn points as follows:
- 3 points for a regulation win
- 2 points for an overtime win
- 1 point for an overtime/shootout loss
- 0 points for a regulation loss
After the preliminary round, teams will be seeded based on several criteria, including points and goal difference. The top four teams will receive a bye to the quarterfinals.
Live Broadcast Information
Fans can watch the USA men’s hockey game against Latvia on USA Network or stream it live on Peacock.
As exciting matchups unfold, the USA team is ready to compete and represent the nation proudly on the Olympic stage.
