The USA overcame two canceled goals in the first period to defeat Latvia 5-1 behind two goals from Brock Nelson.
US men’s hockey wears Ralph Lauren for Olympics
The U.S. men’s hockey team just arrived in Milan, Italy, for the 2026 Winter Games. But before the players hit the ice, they made a quick stop at Ralph Lauren to pick up their kits.
MILAN — U.S. forward Brock Nelson has a long family history of Olympic success, with relatives on two U.S. gold medal teams.
Nelson put his stamp on the 2026 U.S. squad with two goals in the second period of a 5-1 win over Latvia.
He had the misfortune of having two goals canceled in the first period. Quinn Hughes’ goal was ruled offside, and a deflection goal did not count due to goaltender interference by JT Miller.
But there was no doubt that Nelson’s second-period goal gave the Americans a 2-1 lead. He pointed at the internet as if to say, “That’s important.”
There was also no doubt about the beautiful tic-tac-toe play in the fourth.
“He’s a really good hockey player,” coach Mike Sullivan said of Nelson. “He’s got a mature game. He plays on both sides of the puck. He can score. He’s a smart player. He’s honest on defense. He can be used on the penalty kill. If we need him on the power play, he can be used on the power play.”
Nelson is the nephew of 1980 winner Dave Christian. His grandfather Bill and great-uncle Roger won gold medals in 1960.
The family was overjoyed with America’s win in the opening game. Matthew Tkachuk scored the first goal for his older brother Brady, and brothers Quinn and Jack Hughes combined for four assists.
Tage Thompson and Auston Matthews also scored for the USA, which will face Denmark on Saturday, February 14th.
In Thursday’s other preliminary games, Switzerland shut out France 4-0, Canada defeated the Czech Republic 5-0 and Germany defeated Denmark 3-1.
USA TODAY provided live updates from the USA vs. Latvia game. Below are the highlights.
Watch the Winter Olympics on Peacock
The United States defeated Latvia 48-18 to win the opening game of the Olympics. Their next match will be against Denmark on Saturday.
Brady Tkachuk, Brock Faber and the Latvian player go for a cross check. America will kill it.
5-1 America.
Dylan Larkin is called for a slash. America will kill it.
Jack Eichel found Auston Matthews up front for a power play goal. America 5, Latvia 1
Kaspar Daugavance was called up for a trip.
4-1 America.
Arturs Shilovs found the back of the net to start the third period.
Brock Nelson scored two goals for the United States in this game. His uncle Dave Christian won a gold medal on the 1980 team. His grandfather, Bill Christian, won the gold medal in 1960.
“I felt a lot of emotions come up there,” he said of becoming an Olympian. “It’s very special. I have a lot of family there too. It’s really amazing.”
The Americans were finally able to celebrate their second goal midway through the second period. This time, there was nothing to challenge. Vincent Trocheck found Jack Hughes with a pass behind the net, and Hughes found Brock Nelson in the low slot, maneuvering the puck past Elvis Merzlikins and into the net. With the Americans in command and swarming with the puck, Merzlikins had a busy period trying to create opportunities for his teammates. Brady Tkachuk threw a big hip check and was a nuisance around the crease.
With 2:25 left in the period, the U.S. took another step forward on the power play. Tage Thompson received a pass from Jack Eichel at the net, pivoted and backhanded the puck to make it 3-1. Nelson’s tic-tac-toe goal put the Americans up 4-1 with 11.1 seconds remaining.
A massive tic-tac-toe passing display took place before Jack Hughes fed Brock Nelson for his second goal of the game. America 4, Latvia 1
Tage Thompson is known for his stickhandling, and he showed the reason for this goal with his backhand move before scoring. America 3, Latvia 1
Roberts Mumchix is called for a cross check.
Elvis Merzlikins stops Matt Boldy from close and America continues to press. Ultimately leading to a penalty for Latvia.
At 10:38 of the second period, Brock Nelson received a pass from Jack Hughes, faked a shot, and beat Elvis Merzlikins with a backhand. There is no challenge regarding this. Nelson was ruled offside for the first canceled goal and went on to score another canceled goal. But this is important. America 2, Latvia 1
American Jake Guentzel was called for hooking 40 seconds into the second period. There was draft candidate Albert Smits. America will kill it.
1-1. The USA chant begins.
American goal scorer Brady Tkachuk spoke to NBC during the first intermission about how the first period played out, including two come-from-behind goals.
“You have to accept everything that happens to you, good and bad,” he said. “I think we’re going to learn a lot about ourselves, about adversity and all that, and about the personal maturity that we all have.”
The atmosphere was great, with choruses of “Latvia” and “América” setting the tone in Santa Guilia Arena, but the first period was a test for the Americans.
They came out at speed and immediately attacked Elvis Merzlikins. Dylan Larkin missed an open net early, but Brady Tkachuk made it 1-0 at 5:29. A few minutes later, Quinn Hughes put the puck into the Latvian net and the Americans celebrated again, but Latvia contested and a video review found the play to be offside. Instead, Latvia gained momentum with a goal from Lenars Krastenbergs at 7:24. Latvia tried for goaltender interference at 11:35 when Brock Nelson deflected a shot, but was successful again. The United States had a 15-9 advantage in shots.
Leonard Krastenbergs is called up to Holding. Latvia counteracts it. America was hit with two shots.
Brock Nelson, who was offside on Latvia’s first successful goal challenge, showed a big deflection up front. However, Latvia objected and a review determined that JT Miller interfered with goalkeeper Elvis Merzlikins. Still 1-1.
U.S. captain Auston Matthews appeared to be in pain on the bench, but returned to the ice.
A big event. After the American goal was overturned, Leonard Krastenbergs scored Latvia’s tying goal. America 1, Latvia 1
Quinn Hughes scored, but Latvia won after being appealed for offside. Still 1-0 America.
Matthew Tkachuk made a nice pass to his younger brother Brady, who took a shot past Elvis Merzlikins. Zach Werenski got his second assist. America 1, Latvia 0
Dylan Larkin receives a rebound from Zach Werenski’s shot, but the puck goes through the crease.
In the net, Connor Hellebuyck vs. Elvis Merzlikins. Auston Matthews is first out the line.
Where to watch USA men’s hockey vs. Latvia
USA Network is broadcasting the game and Peacock is live streaming it.
What time is the USA men’s hockey game vs. Latvia today?
Puck drop is at 3:10pm ET.
America’s Connor Hellebuyck vs. Latvia’s Elvis Merzlikins.
The tournament began on February 11th with two matches. The USA will open the season against Latvia on February 12th. The round robin will run until February 15th, with all teams playing three games. The top four teams will advance to the quarterfinals with byes.
Playoff qualifying matches for teams ranked 5th through 12th will be held on February 17th, the quarterfinals will be held on February 18th, and the semifinals will be held on February 20th.
The bronze medal match will be held on February 21st and the gold medal match on Sunday, February 22nd.
The NHL will be on hiatus from February 6th to 24th in preparation for the 2026 Winter Olympics. No transactions can be made during the Olympic holiday period.
The International Ice Hockey Federation prohibits fighting, which can lead to expulsion or suspension.
“Fighting is not part of the DNA of international ice hockey,” the organization states in Rule 46 of the IIHF Rulebook.
“Players who willingly participate in a ‘brawl/fight’, so-called ‘voluntary combatants’, may be given a corresponding penalty by the referee and may be ejected from the game,” the rulebook states. “Additional disciplinary action may be imposed.”
2026 Olympic U.S. Men’s Hockey Roster
- forward: Matt Boldy (Minnesota Wild), Kyle Connor (Winnipeg Jets), Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights), Jake Guentzel (Tampa Bay) Lightning, Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils), Clayton Keller (Utah Mammoth), Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings), J.T. Miller (New York Rangers), Brock Nelson (Colorado Avalanche), Tage Thompson (Buffalo Sabers), Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators), Matthew Tkachuk (Florida Panthers), Vincent Trocheck (New York Rangers)
- Garrison: Brock Faber (Minnesota Wild), Noah Hanifin (Vegas Golden Knights), Quinn Hughes (Minnesota Wild), Jackson Lacombe (Anaheim Ducks), Charlie McAvoy (Boston Bruins), Jake Sanderson (Ottawa Senators), Jacob Slavin (Carolina Hurricanes), Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets)
- Goalkeeper: Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets), Jake Oettinger (Dallas Stars), Jeremy Swayman (Boston Bruins)
today’s olympic hockey game
Always east.
Men’s qualifying:
Women’s qualifying:
How the Olympic men’s hockey tournament works
The 12 teams will be divided into 3 groups. they are:
- Group A: Canada, Switzerland, Czech Republic, France
- Group B: Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, Italy
- Group C: America, Germany, Latvia, Denmark
Each team will play one match against the other three teams in their group. Each country earns 3 points for a regulation win, 2 points for an overtime win, 1 point for an overtime or shootout loss, and 0 points for a regulation loss.
Once the qualifying rounds are complete, teams will be seeded from 1 to 12 according to the following criteria:
- high status within the group
- higher number of points
- Goal difference is better
- The more points you get, the more
- Improving IIHF World Rankings
The top four teams will receive byes into the quarterfinals. 5 to 12 teams will play a qualifying round, with the winners advancing to the quarterfinals.
