Mens Hockey Olympics: USA Beats Slovakia 6–2, Sets Up Gold-Medal Clash With Canada

The United States advanced to the gold-medal game at the mens hockey olympics after a 6–2 semifinal victory over Slovakia in Milan. The win follows an overtime quarterfinal clincher earlier in the knockout rounds and sets up a Sunday morning championship meeting with Canada.

Mens Hockey Olympics semifinal recap

Team USA produced a convincing performance in the semifinal to punch its ticket to the gold-medal match. A standout offensive effort included a two-goal night from Jack Hughes, who finished with two goals on four shots, a team-high +2 plus-minus and no penalties. On the other end, goaltender Connor Hellebuyck continued his dominant run, making 22 saves on 24 shots in the semifinal and extending his tournament-leading save percentage and goals-against average. Across the Games, Hellebuyck has allowed five goals on 95 shots.

The victory followed an earlier dramatic quarterfinal in which Quinn Hughes scored an overtime winner to send the United States into the semifinal round. That early heroics helped maintain momentum through the knockout stage and into the medal rounds.

Schedule and what's next in the mens hockey olympics

The remaining schedule through the medal round is framed by single-elimination matchups and the medal games later in the weekend. The first semifinal of the day featured Canada versus Finland at 10: 40 a. m. (ET). The United States and Slovakia met in the later semifinal at 3: 10 p. m. (ET) at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan.

• Bronze medal game: Saturday, Feb. 21 — 2: 40 p. m. (ET)
• Gold medal game: Sunday, Feb. 22 — 8: 10 a. m. (ET)

With the semifinal victory in hand, Team USA will now face Canada in the gold-medal game on Sunday morning. That matchup is presented as a direct clash for men’s hockey supremacy at these Games.

What to watch: strengths, momentum and matchups

Heading into the final, both North American powers arrive with spotless records and potent offenses. The United States entered the medal round undefeated at 5–0, having outscored opponents 24–8 across pool and knockout play. Canada also remained unbeaten, outscoring opponents 27–8. Those numbers underline why the gold-medal game will be viewed as the ultimate test of depth, goaltending and finishing ability over three periods.

Key elements likely to shape the title game — all drawn from the tournament run so far — include goaltending form, the finishing touch from primary scorers, and the ability to sustain pressure across periods. Hellebuyck’s statistical dominance and Jack Hughes’s timely scoring emerged as decisive factors in the U. S. semifinal, while Canada’s undefeated scoring margin signals a high-octane opponent waiting in the final.

Fans and bettors looking for context should note the contrasting strengths: one goaltender’s elite save totals and a balanced American attack versus a Canadian group that has matched that scoring consistency. The gold-medal outcome will hinge on which side maintains momentum and executes under the intensified stakes of the final.

Schedule notes: all times listed are Eastern Time (ET). The medal-round schedule is subject to change.