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Team USA’s first Olympic men’s hockey game featuring NHL players in 12 years had a slow start, but the Americans eventually pulled away for a 5–1 win over Latvia in Milan.
Brady Tkachuk scored the Americans’ first official goal of the 2026 winter games, while Renārs Krastenbergs answered for Latvia amid net-front chaos.
After the first period, the teams were locked in a 1-1 tie, and the USA squad looked out of sync before a dominant second period.
Brock Nelson broke the tie in the second set and later added another, while Tage Thompson chipped in with a power-play goal. Auston Matthews also scored to cap off the win.
Recap the game below as it happened, including highlights.
After a slow start that led to a 1-1 tie after the first period, including two disallowed goals, Team USA started cooking in the second set, scoring four unanswered goals against Latvia.
Brock Nelson was a standout, scoring two goals, while a handful of USA players notched two assists including Jack Eichel, Matthew Tkachuk, and Quinn Hughes.
In goal, Connor Hellebuyck had 17 saves, giving up one goal in the first period.
Latvia gets a power play. Two minutes for slashing on Dylan Larkin.
Late test for the USA penalty-killing unit.
USA notch another power-play goal, this one from Auston Matthews, who puts it past Silovs despite being sandwiched between two Latvian defensemen.
Auston Matthews’ first Olympic goal — and he does it with the “C.” 😮💨#WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/pmbFq2NLgU
Two minutes for tripping on Kaspars Daugavins.
Let’s see if the USA power-play unit can take advantage.
The third period begins, and Latvia has replaced Elvis Merzļikins with Artūrs Šilovs after the former gave up 4 goals in two periods.
Silovs is a well-known Abbotsford Canucks great and Calder Cup champion.
Merzļikins did a lot of work, in particular last period, as Team USA was peppering the Latvian goalie.
Lots of jokes are being made about Brock Nelson being the old man on Team USA.
While he is the oldest player on the roster, he’s only 34, which means the last time NHL players played in the Olympics he was 22 and in his first season for the New York Islanders.
Team USA is created some distance after putting up three goals in the second period.
Tage Thompson scored and Brock Nelson added two more.
Shots on goal after second period:
Brock Nelson scores again! Lots of give and go before Jack Hughes serves it to Nelson on a platter.
Team USA has been absolutely dominant during the last 10 minutes of the second period.
Everything coming up BROCK. NELSON. #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/yy7xGkXiR0
Team USA finally gets some cushion against this Latvian team after Tage Thompson chips the puck into the upper left side of the net.
Back handed. Top shelf. USA extends the lead. 🙌 #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/G7pBzvj4ip
Two minutes for cross-checking on Roberts Mamcics.
Team USA are finally looking like they are clicking, with a dominant possession where they had at least half-a-dozen shots on goal.
No goal from their effort, but they absolutely bombarded the Elvis Merzļikins with shots, and kept the Latvian line on the ice for an extended period.
Three minutes left in the second period. Team USA has 28 shots on goal.
This goal is going to stand. Brock Nelson scores to give the USA the lead and the whole team can take a deep breath.
Jack Huches placed the puck perfectly to Nelson, who had a wide open chance, moving the puck around Elvis Merzļikins and into the net.
NELSON SAID THIS ONE’S GOOD 🚨 pic.twitter.com/N4KKTPlfxO
Team USA has been pushed around multiple times by the Latvia team’s physicality.
Notably, Quinn Hughes was rocked after picking up pace with the puck.
Latvia mustered one shot during the power play as USA is successful in their penalty kill.
Two minutes for hooking on Jake Guentzel.
Latvia will have their first power play of the game.
After one period, Team USA and Latvia are tied 1-1.
The second period is underway.
In the other Group C game, Denmark and Germany are also tied 1-1 after the first period.
Edmonton Oiler Leon Draisaitl scored the goal for Germany.
I’m not sure this was on anyone’s bingo card, but Team USA and Latvia are tied 1-1 after the first period.
Two USA goals were disallowed after review, the first for offside and the second for goaltender interference.
Brady Tkachuk gets the lone goal for the Americans. Renārs Krastenbergs scores for Latvia.
Two minutes for holding on Team Latvia’s Renārs Krastenbergs.
After review, the referees deemed that J.T. Miller interfered with the Latvia goaltender before the Nelson goal.
The Latvian coach is 2 for 2 on reviews.
Back to a 1-1 tie. Team USA retakes the lead, after Faber slung the puck in, which was redirected by Brock Nelson. Latvia is challenging for goaltender interference. Latvia’s first challenge was successful.
Shots on goal in the first period:
Team Latvia creates chaos in front of the USA net, and the puck finds it’s way across the line.
This game is tied at 1-1 after eight minutes.
Renārs Krastenbergs scores for Latvia.
Latvia ties it. 12:35 left in the first. #WinterOlympics
The Quinn Hughes goal is removed after the review concluded Team USA was offside.
Team USA maintains the 1-0 lead. Two quick goals from Team USA, as Quinn Hughes notches the second goal. Team Latvia is challenging for offsides.
Matthew Tkachuk connects with brother Brady for the first goal for Team USA at these 2026 winter games.
EARLY AND OFTEN FOR USA. 🦅
📺 #WinterOlympics on Peacock and USA pic.twitter.com/RPTrilx093
Not a warm welcome for the USA team in Milan. The crowd is clearly behind the underdogs.
Larkin misses the net, sending the puck directly across the crease.
It’s easy to forget how quick international hockey is, especially since it’s been 12 years without NHL players in the Olympics.
This game is off to a blistering pace.
The first Team USA men’s hockey game of the 2026 Winter Games in Milan is underway.
Tune in for free at 6:30 p.m. ET for first impressions and reactions on FloHockey from Chris Peters and Robert Babiak. Here’s more info.
Things get kicked into high gear today in Milan! We’re getting ready to break it all down for you on the Hockey Daily Reaction Show: Milan-Cortina presented by Fortune Tires.
Join @chrismpeters and @theotherbabs at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Details: https://t.co/iYUwaepRNR#FortuneTiresUSA pic.twitter.com/G25aRjKp1X
Here is a breakdown Team USA lines breakdown from FloHockey’s Chris Peters.
Forwards
Defense
Extra Defenseman
Goaltenders
Not Dressed:
First looks at how Team USA is lining up at the #WinterOlympics 👀
See ya in one hour for puck drop! pic.twitter.com/LCOLJiCyqA
Forwards
Extra Forward
Defense
Extra Defenseman
Goaltenders
Not Dressed:
The Team USA vs. Latvia game will be broadcast on Peacock, USA Network, and NBCOlympics.com.
In Canada, olympic hockey will be broadcast on CBC.
Watch professional and junior hockey live streaming throughout February on FloHockey including the American Hockey League (AHL), ECHL, and many of North America’s top junior leagues: OHL, QMJHL, and USHL.
Team USA will take on Latvia in the Americans first game at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan.
The game takes place at 3:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, Feb. 12.
Here’s the Team USA men’s ice hockey roster for the 2026 Winter Games in Milan-Cortina.
Forwards
Defensemen
Goaltenders
Here’s the Latvia men’s ice hockey roster for the 2026 Winter Games in Milan-Cortina.
Forwards
Defensemen
Goaltenders
Wednesday, Feb. 11
Thursday, Feb. 12
Wednesday, Feb. 11
Thursday, Feb. 12
Friday, Feb. 13
Saturday, Feb. 14
Sunday, Feb. 15
Tuesday, Feb. 17 — Qualification Playoffs
Wednesday, Feb. 18 — Quarterfinals
Friday, Feb. 20 — Semifinals
Saturday, Feb. 21
Sunday, Feb. 22
No, fighting is not allowed in Men’s Olympic Hockey.
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