2026 Winter Olympics Ice Hockey: USA Beats Slovakia, Advances to Gold Final
The United States defeated Slovakia 6-2 in the men's semifinal at the Milan Cortina Games, a result that sends Team USA to the gold-medal game against Canada and marks the country's first Olympic final appearance in men's hockey since 2010. The win featured two goals from Jack Hughes and goal contributions from four other players, and it closes out the semifinal weekend with a return match of the 2010 final.
2026 Winter Olympics Ice Hockey Semifinal Recap
Team USA’s 6-2 victory over Slovakia was decisive by the third period. Jack Hughes scored twice and four teammates added goals, creating a gap Slovakia could not erase in the final frame. Slovakia attempted a late rally, but the deficit proved too large to overcome in the third period. The U. S. advance sets up a gold-medal rematch with Canada, a meeting that echoes the 2010 final won by Canada.
Semifinal predictions and staff picks
A group of eight writers and editors covered the semifinal matchups with predictions and reasoning ahead of the games. Common threads in those picks included confidence in Canada’s team defense against Finland and the belief that the United States’ depth — including the ability to roll four forward lines and a strong blue line — would be difficult for Slovakia to contain for a full 60 minutes. Several analysts highlighted individual factors that could swing games: the influence of veteran leaders, elite scorers such as Connor McDavid, and young impact players noted for scoring consistency.
At the same time, some prognostications warned that Slovakia’s tournament run had been a surprise and that players like Juraj Slafkovsky and goaltender Samuel Hlavaj could still produce an upset. Other commentary pointed to Finland’s earlier offensive struggles and suggested that timely goaltending could change expectations if it materializes.
Schedule and next steps
The semifinal schedule had Finland facing Canada at 10: 40 a. m. ET and Slovakia meeting the United States at 3: 10 p. m. ET. The winners from those games will play for gold on Sunday at 8: 10 a. m. ET, while the semifinal losers will meet for bronze on Saturday at 2: 40 p. m. ET. With the United States now confirmed for the gold-medal game, attention shifts to how Canada’s game with Finland concludes and how both finalists will manage health, ice time and matchups ahead of Sunday’s final.
Looking ahead, conditional scenarios from coverage of the semis frame the outlook: if Canada’s defense performs as expected, Finland’s scoring issues could persist and tip the balance; if the U. S. blue line and depth continue to execute, Team USA may control matchups and ice time in the final. Uncertainties remain insofar as individual availability and game-to-game form, which are not publicly confirmed at this time.
Key takeaway: the U. S. victory over Slovakia creates a gold-medal rematch with Canada and leaves a clear schedule for the medal weekend, while analysts remain split between conventional favorites and the momentum of tournament surprises.
