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Daniel Chavkin
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With a guaranteed medal on the line, the United States blew out Slovakia on Friday in the semifinals, setting up a heavyweight matchup with Canada for gold.
The United States never trailed in the game, as they scored the first goal in the first few minutes and never relinquished the lead. Team USA especially dominated the special teams, as they remained perfect on the penalty kill despite Slovakia getting four power plays.
Five different players scored for the U.S., led by Jack Hughes, who scored twice in the second period. Dylan Larkin and Tage Thompson chipped in goals in the first period, while Jack Eichel and Brady Tkachuk also scored.
Additionally, goalie Connor Hellebuyck remained rock solid in net, stopping 21 of the 23 shots he faced. Hellebuyck has been one of the best goalies in the Olympics, and he is playing his best leading into the gold medal game.
Slovakia was overmatched for the entire game, getting outshot 39-24 while the United States controlled the ice. Slovakia will face off against Finland tomorrow, looking for a second-straight bronze medal.
The win means the United States are playing for gold in men’s ice hockey for the first time since 2010, when they lost to Canada in Vancouver. The U.S. hasn’t won gold in this event since 1980, which was the famous “Miracle” team.
The Sporting News tracked live scores, updates and highlights from the men’s Olympic hockey semifinals matchup between the United States and Slovakia. Here is what happened.
MORE 2026 OLYMPICS: Live medal tracker | Viewer's guide | Day-by-day schedule
5:39 p.m.: Time expires, which means we will get U.S. vs. Canada on Sunday.
5:37 p.m.: With two minutes left in the game, the two sides are skirmishing, and the Tkachuks are involved. A few players will bet game misconducts, ending their night early.
5:35 p.m.: The United States is trying to bleed the clock and get out with a win.
5:27 p.m.: GOAL! Slovakia scores another as Pavol Regenda gets the goal.
5:24 p.m.: GOAL! Brady Tkachuk scores on a breakaway to get the lead back to five.
A FILTHY move by Brady Tkachuk to extend the lead. pic.twitter.com/CIrgDfTFR6
5:20 p.m.: The United States hasn’t cracked after allowing the first goal, as Slovakia is still fighting for pressure.
5:13 p.m.: GOAL! Slovakia gets won back thanks to Juraj Slafkovsky.
5:11 p.m.: The shots right now are 28-13, representing the United States’ domination.
5:07 p.m.: Tage Thompson is dealing with an injury and is not on the bench in the third period.
5:06 p.m.: Slovakia kills the penalty to keep the deficit at five goals.
5:04 p.m.: The third period is underway, with the United States 20 minutes away from a win.
4:45 p.m.: With 23 seconds left in the period, Slovakia takes yet another penalty.
4:42 p.m.: GOAL! Jack Hughes scores his second of the game as the power play expired, and this one is a blowout.
Jack Hughes said “ANOTHA ONE”. pic.twitter.com/GG2bK1YPlj
4:40 p.m.: Slovakia has taken another penalty, so the U.S. is back on a power play.
4:38 p.m.: The United States appears in full control of the game, as the shot difference is in the double-digits.
4:31 p.m.: GOAL! Now Jack Eichel strikes with a backhanded score, so the U.S. doubles their lead in the matter of minutes. Slovakia is making a goalie change as a result.
Team USA RUNNING away with it! pic.twitter.com/hDs3RkkVc2
4:31 p.m.: GOAL! That goal counts, with Jack Hughes burying one following a nifty move.
Jack Hughes showing flashes of Patrick Kane! pic.twitter.com/iaHFG0pvcW
4:27 p.m.: A United States goal is waved off when the ref deems Jake Guentzel to have kicked the puck in the net.
4:26 p.m.: There were some great chances on that power play, but the U.S. can’t cash in. Lead remains two over halfway through the game.
4:22 p.m.: Now Martin Fehevary gets his second penalty, so the U.S. is going back to the power play.
4:21 p.m.: Slovakia is now 0-4 on the power play, as the United States penalty kill remains strong.
4:18p.m.: McAvoy commits his second penalty of the game, this time on a high stick.
4:13 p.m.: Play is back at even strength. Despite some great chances from Slovakia, the score remains 2-0.
4:10 p.m.: The power play ends when Auston Matthews is called for hooking. It will be 4-on-4 before a brief Slovakia power play.
4:09 p.m.: Slovakia takes another quick penalty, so the United States gets a second power play.
4:08 p.m.: The second period is underway, as the U.S. is looking to extend the lead.
3:48 p.m.: GOAL! Tage Thompson scores on the man advantage as he rockets one into the net.
BLINK AND YOU’LL MISS IT.
Tage Thompson extends the USA’s lead. pic.twitter.com/6CQUSRxdYA
3:47 p.m.: With under a minute left in the period, Jack Hughes draws a tripping penalty to send the United States to their first power play.
3:45 p.m.: Play has been a little more even of late, as both sides are going back-and-forth.
3:38 p.m.: The U.S. kills off another penalty, as Slovakia didn’t get a single shot off.
3:33 p.m.: Slovakia goes back to the power play as Zach Werenski gets called for delay of game.
3:31 p.m.: The United States got a great shorthanded chance that Samuel Hlavaj saves. Otherwise, the penalty is killed, keeping the U.S. penalty kill perfect.
3:28 p.m.: Charlie McAvoy is called for interference, sending Slovakia to the first power play today.
3:25 p.m.: The Gaudreau family flew in to support Team USA, which honors Johnny Gaudreau on the ice.
3:23 p.m.: Slovakia has had a tough time producing sustained pressure early in this one. The United States has a 7-3 shots-on-goal lead so far.
3:16 p.m.: GOAL! Dylan Larkin splits the defense and buries the first goal of the game.
Dylan Larkin wastes NO TIME. pic.twitter.com/DDjYQzLxCj
3:14 p.m.: The United States has come out energized, leading an early push in the Slovakian zone with a few good chances.
3:11 p.m.: The puck is dropped and we are underway from the second semifinal!
3:07 p.m.: We are moments away from the United States vs. Slovakia from Milan-Cortina.
2:59 p.m.: The United States is going with the white jerseys and blue pants for the game.
Locked in for the semis 🔒 #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/wnYwHJafY6
2:40 p.m.: Slovaia is a surprise member of the semifinal, as the team only has six NHL players on its roster but outlasted Finland and Sweden to win Group B.
2:18 p.m.: Here are the lines for the United States today, with no real surprises.
Semifinal lines are up! 🇺🇸
T-1 hour ’til USA vs Slovakia#WinterOlympics game preview: https://t.co/gmCnt8YEAd pic.twitter.com/RkQ7QVNiou
1:56 p.m.: The United States hasn’t been to the gold medal game since 2010, when the team lost in overtime to Canada.
The U.S. takes on Slovakia in the semifinals today with a chance to advance to the gold medal game for the first time since 2010 👀
The Americans are seeking their first gold in ice hockey since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” team. pic.twitter.com/Tn3hNOABKd
1:32 p.m.: With Canada’s win over Finland, the winner of this game will play Canada on Sunday.
12:48 p.m.: Yesterday, Quinn and Jack Hughes were on hand to watch the women win gold, as their mother is part of the development staff.
Yesterday, the Hughes brothers cheered on Team USA and their mom, Ellen, as the U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team won gold. Today, they’re playing for their own spot in the #WinterOlympics gold medal game.
Semifinal on deck at 3:10 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock 👀 pic.twitter.com/drriOBnwR2
MORE OLYMPIC HOCKEY NEWS:
The United States and Slovakia will face off in the semifinals at 3:10 p.m. ET on Friday, February 20. It will be the second semifinal of the day, as Canada and Finland will play earlier in the day.
NBC will have coverage of the semifinal game between the United States and Slovakia, as Kenny Albert, Eddie Olczyk and Brian Boucher have been calling the USA games. Additionally, fans can live stream the game on Peacock, which is covering the entire Olympics. In Canada, the game will be broadcasted on CBC and CBC Gem.
Daniel Chavkin is a Digital Content Producer for The Sporting News. A 2018 graduate from the University of Maryland, he has previously written for Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports and NFLTradeRumors.com.