The United States opened the 2026 Winter Olympics with a 5-1 victory over Latvia on Thursday, overcoming two overturned goals to secure a decisive win in the opening game. Team USA outshot Latvia 38-18 and tucked three unanswered goals after being tied at 1 following the first period.

At Santaguila Ice Hockey Arena, Brock Nelson had two goals, while Tage Thompson, Auston Matthews and Brady Tkachuk each scored a goal for the Americans. Brothers Jack Hughes and Quinn Hughes each had two assists, as did Matthew Tkachuk and Jack Eichel. Also adding assists were Zach Werenski and Vincent Trocheck.

Team USA knows it will take everyone to contribute if it is to get where it wants to go at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Its championship formula was on full display in a 5-1 win against Latvia in the preliminary round opener for each team in Group C at Santagiulia Arena on Thursday.

Team USA launched their 2026 Winter Olympics campaign with a decisive 5-1 victory over Latvia. Despite early challenges, including two disallowed goals, the team rallied with a dominant second period.

The United States looks to get off on the right foot in Milan on Thursday, as they open up Group C play at the 2026 Winter Olympics against Latvia.

The U.S. men’s ice hockey team plays its first game of the Milan Cortina Olympics on Thursday in a showdown against Latvia.

There are some nations competing in these Winter Olympics that are shaking off the rust of international play and others that are just happy to be there. The United States is certainly neither, seeking revenge for its overtime loss to Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off final and validation for their IIHF World Championship last year.

Team USA has begun play in the men’s hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics with a dominant 5-1 win over Latvia. The Latvians held their own in the first period, getting to intermission tied 1-1 thanks to a pair of successful challenges that disallowed two U.

The 2026 Winter Olympics are in full swing, and one of the main attractions for the Milan-Cortina Games is the men’s hockey tournament. NHL players are returning to the Olympic ice for the first time in 12 years,