Ice Hockey: USA Rolls Past Slovakia 6-2, Sets Up Gold-Medal Final With Canada
In a decisive men's ice hockey semifinal, Team USA defeated Slovakia 6-2 to advance to the Olympic gold-medal game against Canada. The win sets up an undefeated final showdown and leaves the U. S. managing a late injury concern as it prepares for the title game on Sunday morning.
Ice Hockey: How the semifinal unfolded
Jack Hughes led the American attack with two goals, while Dylan Larkin, Tage Thompson, Jack Eichel and Brady Tkachuk each added one goal. Slovakia got two third-period goals from Juraj Slafkovský and Pavol Regenda, but the late response was not enough to overcome the U. S. advantage built earlier in the game.
The victory sends Team USA into the gold-medal game against Canada, which earlier defeated Finland to reach the same final. The championship game is scheduled for Sunday at 8: 10 a. m. ET.
Key performance, discipline and an injury watch
Hughes' multi-goal night continued a productive tournament for him, bringing his totals to three goals and eight points in five games. The U. S. offense combined strong finishing with moments of composure on special teams, but discipline was a concern: the Americans took four penalties in the first 30 minutes. Slovakia's power play struggled to create meaningful chances early, failing to get net-front presence on several early opportunities and producing no shots on goal on those chances; a later opportunity improved but still produced limited threat.
Big winger Tage Thompson left the game after the second period with a lower-body injury. He had recorded a goal and an assist in the contest, giving him three goals and an assist in five games. An extra forward—Kyle Connor—was listed as the available front-line replacement should Thompson be unable to play. The U. S. head coach anticipates Thompson being ready for the final, but the situation remains an item to monitor as preparations continue.
What to watch heading into the final
With Canada waiting in the final, attention will turn to discipline and special teams. The Canadian power play was described as more dangerous than Slovakia's and the U. S. will be mindful of taking penalties against a team equipped with elite offensive talent on its top unit. For the Americans, maintaining depth production beyond the top scorers and recovering fully from the Thompson injury will be essential.
The pathway to gold is now clear: Team USA faces Canada in the title game Sunday at 8: 10 a. m. ET, with personnel decisions and health updates to follow in the hours leading up to puck drop. Recent updates on the Thompson situation suggest optimism about his availability, but final lineups will determine how the U. S. manages its roster against a formidable opponent.
