Mens Hockey Olympics: Team USA Tops Slovakia 6–2 to Reach Gold Medal Game

Team USA beat Slovakia 6–2 in the semifinal on Friday at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, advancing to the gold medal game Sunday at 8: 10 a. m. ET and extending its perfect run in the mens hockey olympics.

Mens Hockey Olympics semifinal in Milan

The 6–2 victory came on Friday afternoon in Milan, where Jack Hughes scored twice on four shots and finished with a team-high +2 while taking no penalties, and Connor Hellebuyck stopped 22 of 24 shots in net for Team USA.

Hughes brothers and Hellebuyck steered the win

Jack Hughes supplied the scoring punch against Slovakia, while Hellebuyck absorbed most of the pressure; he allowed two third-period goals to Juraj Slafkovsky and Pavol Regenda but still finished the game with 22 saves and has allowed just five goals on 95 shots across the tournament so far in these Games.

What’s next: gold, bronze and the rest of the schedule

With the semifinal win, Team USA will meet Canada in the gold medal game on Sunday at 8: 10 a. m. ET; the bronze medal game is set for Saturday at 2: 40 p. m. ET. Team USA reached the semifinal after Quinn Hughes scored an overtime winner against Sweden in the quarterfinals, and the Americans entered the knockout stage 5–0, outscoring opponents 24–8 in the mens hockey olympics.

Canada and Finland played the first semifinal on Friday at 10: 40 a. m. ET, and the final two teams remaining will square off for gold on Sunday morning.

Recovery and preparation for Team USA will continue in Milan ahead of the gold medal game on Sunday at 8: 10 a. m. ET.