Usa Mens Hockey Next Game: USA meets Slovakia in Olympic semifinal
The usa mens hockey next game is scheduled for Friday at 3: 10 p. m. ET, when Team USA takes on Slovakia in a semifinal at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The victor will advance to the gold-medal game on Sunday at 8: 10 a. m. ET, while the loser will play for bronze on Saturday at 2: 40 p. m. ET.
Usa Mens Hockey Next Game: Slovakia stands in the way
Team USA’s semifinal comes after a knockout night that produced three straight overtime finishes and a dramatic late equalizer by Sweden’s Mika Zibanejad in the U. S. quarterfinal, which forced overtime with two minutes left in regulation. Quinn Hughes delivered in the extra frame, joining a short list of players who produced sudden-death heroes, and helped propel the Americans into Friday’s 3: 10 p. m. ET showdown with Slovakia at Milano Cortina.
Quarterfinal shocks left favorites tested
Both gold favorites were pushed to the brink in the quarterfinals: Canada and the United States faced late-game rallies, and Canada scrambled without its captain Sidney Crosby. Coach Jon Cooper said, “Sid is by no means ruled out of the tournament, ” and added the team would know more within 24 hours — a status update that could shape Canada’s path in the other semifinal when it meets Finland at 10: 40 a. m. ET.
The quarterfinals also produced notable individual markers: Macklin Celebrini scored his tournament-leading fifth goal for Canada, Connor McDavid tied Teemu Selanne’s mark for most points in one Olympics in fewer games, and Nathan MacKinnon added a timely power-play tally. Those performances set the stage for the final four, with the Canada-Finland game opening the semifinal slate at 10: 40 a. m. ET and Slovakia-USA closing it at 3: 10 p. m. ET.
Predictions and matchups shaping the path to gold
Among the assessments circulating before the semifinals, a common thread favors Team USA’s depth on the blue line, highlighting Quinn Hughes and the high-level play of Jack Hughes up front as advantages against Slovakia. Slovakia’s run has been labeled a tournament surprise, with Juraj Slafkovsky and goaltender Samuel Hlavaj cited as potential difference-makers in any upset bid.
The immediate consequences are clear: the winners from Friday’s semifinals move on to the gold-medal game on Sunday at 8: 10 a. m. ET, and the losing teams meet for bronze on Saturday at 2: 40 p. m. ET. For Team USA, the 3: 10 p. m. ET matchup against Slovakia is the next decisive test in a tournament that has already produced multiple overtime thrillers and late-game comebacks.
Recovery and team updates are expected in the hours before the semifinals; the bracket’s next confirmed events remain the Canada-Finland semifinal at 10: 40 a. m. ET, Slovakia vs. USA at 3: 10 p. m. ET, the bronze-medal game on Saturday at 2: 40 p. m. ET, and the gold-medal game on Sunday at 8: 10 a. m. ET.
