Tage Thompson Exits Semifinal After Lower-Body Issue but Expected for Gold Medal Game

Tage Thompson did not skate in the third period of Team USA’s 6-2 semifinal victory over Slovakia in Milano Cortina 2026 after exiting for precautionary reasons, but Team USA’s coaching staff expects the forward to be available for the gold medal game against Canada on Sunday morning.

Tage Thompson leaves semifinal; what happened in the game

Thompson had an active night before departing. He recorded a power-play goal that pushed the Americans to a 2-0 lead at the end of the first period and added an assist in just over 10 minutes of ice time. Late in the second period he blocked a hard shot, and did not return for the third period as a precaution.

• Game: Team USA 6, Slovakia 2 (semifinal, Milano Cortina 2026)
• Thompson’s on-ice contribution: 1 goal, 1 assist in just over 10 minutes
• Reason for exit: held out for precautionary reasons tied to a lower-body injury

Injury status, tournament form and what’s next

Head coach Mike Sullivan indicated that Thompson suffered a lower-body injury but that he expects the forward to be ready for game time in the gold medal matchup with Canada on Sunday morning. Making his Olympic debut at Milano Cortina 2026, Thompson has three goals and one assist over five tournament games.

Beyond the tournament numbers, Thompson’s season production was also provided: he has recorded 30 goals and 29 assists over 57 games with his NHL club in the 2025-26 season. The team will monitor recovery ahead of the final and make a final availability decision closer to game time. These details may evolve as the team assesses his condition in the hours before the gold medal game.

Implications for Team USA’s gold medal game

With the semifinal win secured, the United States advances to face Canada in the gold medal game Sunday morning to close Milano Cortina 2026. Thompson’s expected availability preserves a key offensive option for the Americans; the coaching staff’s plan is to keep him out of the third period of the semifinal as a precaution and then evaluate his readiness ahead of the final.

Team personnel will provide updates on lineup decisions and any necessary treatments in the lead-up to the final. For now, the official position from the team is that Thompson is being managed cautiously after the lower-body issue and is expected to be part of the roster for the championship game.

These figures and the injury update frame Team USA’s preparation for a Sunday morning gold medal showdown. The team’s approach has been precautionary in the semifinal; final confirmation of Thompson’s status will come as medical checks and pregame evaluations are completed.