Mens Hockey Olympics: Team USA beats Slovakia 6–2, will face Canada for gold
Team USA defeated Slovakia 6–2 in the semifinal on Friday afternoon at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, advancing to the gold medal game — a decisive step in the mens hockey olympics because the winner on Sunday morning will take home Olympic gold.
Mens Hockey Olympics: USA moves to final
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 as the United States rolled to a 6–2 victory over Slovakia on Friday afternoon in Milan. The semifinal win booked the Americans a meeting with Team Canada in the gold medal game on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 8: 10 a. m.
Hughes brothers, Hellebuyck carried the day
Quinn Hughes had sent the U. S. to the semifinal with an overtime goal against Sweden in the quarterfinals, and on Friday it was Jack Hughes who finished off Slovakia with two goals. Hellebuyck, the Winnipeg Jets goaltender, stopped 22 of 24 shots in the semifinal and has allowed just five goals on 95 shots across the tournament, numbers that underline his Olympic-leading save performance through the Games.
Schedule and stakes in Milan
The United States entered the medal rounds unbeaten, a perfect 5–0 through five games and outscoring opponents 24–8 across matchups with Latvia, Denmark, Germany, Sweden and Slovakia. Canada also remains undefeated and has outscored its opponents 27–8. The two semifinal games on Friday were Canada vs. Finland at 10: 40 a. m. and the U. S. matchup at 3: 10 p. m.; the bronze medal game is set for Saturday, Feb. 21 at 2: 40 p. m., and the gold medal game will be Sunday, Feb. 22 at 8: 10 a. m., all at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan.
The immediate consequence is clear: the U. S. will face Canada for men’s hockey supremacy in the final on Sunday morning, with both teams entering the matchup undefeated in the tournament. Team USA’s path to the final included a dramatic 2–1 overtime quarterfinal win against Sweden, capped by Quinn Hughes’ sudden-death goal, and the 6–2 semifinal finish over Slovakia on Friday.
Team USA now turns its focus to preparing for the gold medal game against Canada on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 8: 10 a. m. at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena; the bronze medal game will be played the day before at 2: 40 p. m.
