Tage Thompson Helps Power U.S. into Gold Medal Game After 6-2 Semifinal Win
In Milan on Friday night, tage thompson was one of several multi‑point performers as the United States routed Slovakia 6-2 to reach the Olympic gold-medal game. The victory puts an unbeaten American roster into a Sunday rematch with Canada for the Olympic crown, scheduled for 2: 10 p. m. local time (8: 10 a. m. ET).
Development details
The semifinal at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 20, 2026, ended with a decisive 6-2 scoreline after Team USA built a 5-0 advantage by the close of the second period. Jack Hughes scored twice, Jack Eichel produced a goal and an assist, and Brady Tkachuk added a goal in the third period during the rout. Those contributions, including a multi-point night from tage thompson, helped the Americans secure their spot in the championship.
Coach Mike Sullivan, who sat alongside Matthew Tkachuk during the postgame media session, praised the group’s composition and competitive identity, calling it “the best team that I’ve ever been around. ” The crowd at the arena was described as packed and electric for the high-stakes semifinal, underscoring the magnitude of the win.
Tage Thompson and line contributors
Offensive balance defined the performance. Hughes’ two goals and Eichel’s goal-plus-assist combination generated early separation, while tage thompson’s multi-point effort added sustained pressure that the Slovak defense could not absorb. The top line featuring Matthew Tkachuk, Brady Tkachuk and Jack Eichel continued to drive possession and scoring chances—Matthew entered the game leading the tournament with six assists (0 goals, 6 points, +5 rating) through five games, and Brady arrived with three goals and two assists for five points and a +7 rating in the same span.
Those individual statlines translated directly into game control: the five-goal cushion after 40 minutes forced Slovakia into a chasing posture and effectively decided the contest well before the final buzzer.
Immediate impact
The immediate consequence is straightforward and material—Team USA remains unbeaten and will play Canada for Olympic gold on Sunday at 2: 10 p. m. local time (8: 10 a. m. ET). The matchup is a high-profile rematch of the 2010 Vancouver final, raising stakes for players and coaches alike. For the Tkachuk brothers, the tournament has showcased consistent production and physical presence, with Matthew operating as a primary playmaker and Brady offering both scoring and grit.
Beyond the roster, the game highlighted a deeper lineage in American hockey: the Tkachuk brothers’ father, Keith Tkachuk, was noted during the coverage for a lengthy NHL career that included selection 19th overall in 1990, 18 seasons from 1991–2010, and career totals of 1, 065 points (538 goals, 527 assists) in 1, 201 games. That background was cited as part of the competitive culture surrounding the current U. S. team.
Forward outlook
The next scheduled milestone is the gold-medal game on Sunday at 2: 10 p. m. local time (8: 10 a. m. ET), when an unbeaten American squad will meet Canada for the Olympic title. With tournament statistical leaders in play and a coaching staff confident in the group’s identity, the Americans enter the final with established momentum and a lineup that has produced measurable contributions across multiple games.
What makes this notable is the combination of early tournament consistency—reflected in individual point totals and team unbeaten status—and the timing of a marquee rematch against a familiar rival on the Olympic stage.
