USA Advances to Olympic Hockey Gold Medal Game, Defeats Slovakia 6-2

The United States men’s hockey team is one step closer to Olympic gold, securing a decisive 6-2 victory over Slovakia in the semifinal match on Friday, February 20, 2026. This win sets the stage for a highly anticipated gold medal game against Canada on Sunday, February 22nd.

Dominant Performance Against Slovakia

Team USA entered the semifinal as the clear favorite and delivered a commanding performance. Slovakia struggled to contain the American offense, falling behind early in the game. Dylan Larkin opened the scoring just over four minutes into the first period, setting the tone for the remainder of the match.

The Americans continued to build their lead throughout the first period, with Tage Thompson adding another goal before the period ended. Jack Hughes then took control in the second period, scoring twice to extend the U.S. Advantage. Jack Eichel and Brady Tkachuk likewise contributed to the scoring, showcasing the team’s depth and offensive firepower.

Although Slovakia managed to get two pucks past the American goaltender, they were unable to mount a serious challenge to the U.S. Lead. The final score of 6-2 reflects the Americans’ dominance in the game.

Gold Medal Matchup: USA vs. Canada

The victory propels Team USA into the gold medal game, where they will face their long-time rivals, Canada. The two teams last met in the final of the 2025 Four Nations Tournament, with Canada emerging victorious after overtime.

The USA-Canada game is scheduled for Sunday, February 22nd at 8:10 a.m. ET. This will be a highly competitive match, as both teams boast talented rosters and a strong hockey tradition.

Slovakia to Compete for Bronze

Following their loss to the United States, Slovakia will now compete for the bronze medal against Finland on Saturday, February 20th at 2:40 p.m. ET.

Tage Thompson Injury Update

Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan provided an update on forward Tage Thompson, who left the game early. “We held him out for precautionary reasons more than anything,” Sullivan said. “We held him out for a lower body injury. So we’ll observe how he recovers, but I would anticipate him being ready for game time.”

Live updates from NBC Olympics

USA Today coverage of the semifinal win

Yahoo Sports report on Team USA’s advancement