Tage Thompson exits semifinal for precautionary reasons in Team USA win

American forward tage thompson left Friday’s semifinal against Slovakia and did not play the third period for precautionary reasons, a development that matters as Team USA advances to the gold medal game against Canada on Sunday morning. Team USA won the semifinal 6-2, and head coach Mike Sullivan indicated he expects Thompson to be available for the final.

Tage Thompson's in-game exit

Thompson recorded a goal and an assist in just over 10 minutes of ice time before exiting and was not on the bench to start the third period at Santagiulia Arena. The team characterized the exit as precautionary after the forward blocked a hard shot later in the second period; Sullivan said Thompson sustained a lower-body injury but suggested the decision to hold him out was made chiefly as a precaution.

What the injury status means

Coach Mike Sullivan said he expects Thompson to be ready for game time in the gold medal match against Canada. The team’s statement and the coach’s postgame comments framed the absence as cautious rather than definitive, and the precise medical status was not publicly confirmed beyond the description of a lower-body issue.

Tournament and season stats

Making his Olympic debut at Milano Cortina 2026, Thompson has three goals and one assist over five games in the tournament. On the NHL front this season he has 30 goals and 29 assists in 57 games, in what is listed as his ninth NHL season. His contributions in the semifinal included a power-play goal that gave the United States a 2-0 lead late in the first period.

• Semifinal score: United States 6, Slovakia 2.
• Tournament totals: three goals, one assist (five games).
• NHL 2025-26 totals: 30 goals, 29 assists in 57 games.

With the gold medal game scheduled for Sunday morning to close Milano Cortina 2026, the immediate focus for Team USA will be on Thompson's recovery timeline and line adjustments if needed. If Thompson is cleared, his tournament scoring form and special-teams impact would be available for the final; if his status remains uncertain, the coaching staff will need to finalize matchups and power-play units with other forwards.