MILAN, Italy – Team USA opened its 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey campaign with a decisive victory over Latvia, winning 5-1. The win, part of the Milan Cortina Games, showcased the strength of a U.S. Roster widely considered to be the most talented ever assembled for international best-on-best competition.
The Americans, featuring stars like Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel at center, and a formidable defensive corps including Quinn Hughes, Zach Werenski, and Charlie McAvoy, demonstrated their dominance early. Goaltending, anchored by Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, and Jeremy Swayman, also appears to be a significant strength for the U.S. Team.
While the scoreline indicates a comfortable win for the United States, Latvia proved to be a challenging opponent, boasting a roster of current and former NHL players. The Latvians, however, were ultimately unable to contain the relentless offensive pressure from the Americans.
Qualification Round Underway
As the Olympic men’s hockey tournament progresses, the competition is heating up. With Canada, the USA, Slovakia, and Finland securing quarterfinal byes, the remaining eight teams battled in qualification playoff matchups on , for a chance to advance.
Tuesday’s schedule featured three games starting at 6:10 a.m. ET, with a final game concluding around 6 p.m. ET. Germany defeated France 5-2 in the opening matchup, while Switzerland convincingly beat Italy 7-1. These victories secured Germany and Switzerland’s places in the quarterfinal round.
Germany Overpowers France
Germany’s win over France was largely anticipated, given the disparity in talent and recent form. The Germans, despite a mixed performance in round-robin play – a win against Denmark offset by losses to Latvia and the United States – proved too strong for the French side, who lost all three of their preliminary games by a combined score of 20-5.
The performance of German centers Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers and Tim Stutzle of the Ottawa Senators was crucial, though they combined for only five goals and seven points in the round-robin stage. The lack of comparable skill on the French roster made an upset highly improbable. BetMGM odds reflected this expectation, with Germany favored at 1.13 (-715) compared to France’s 6.25 (+525).
Switzerland Dominates Italy
Switzerland’s 7-1 victory over the host nation, Italy, followed a similar pattern. Italy, winless in the preliminary round, struggled against a Swiss team that had secured wins against France, and Czechia. Despite a loss to Canada, Switzerland’s overall performance demonstrated their superiority.
Quarterfinal Matchups Set
With Germany and Switzerland securing their spots, the quarterfinal matchups are beginning to take shape. Switzerland will face Finland, the fourth seed, in their quarterfinal contest. The remaining qualification games will determine the other quarterfinal pairings.
The tournament has already seen its share of surprises and compelling performances. The return of NHL players to the Olympic Games after a 12-year absence has undoubtedly elevated the level of competition. The Swiss team, however, suffered a significant blow with a leg injury to forward Kevin Fiala, who is expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the season. Despite this setback, players like Timo Meier, J.J. Moser, and Roman Josi are expected to lead the Swiss charge.
The Olympic men’s hockey tournament continues to deliver excitement and drama as teams battle for a chance to claim the gold medal. The qualification round has narrowed the field, setting the stage for a thrilling quarterfinal stage.
Latvia’s journey in the tournament continued as they faced Sweden. Details of that match were reported by Jauns.lv, indicating a significant contest for the Latvian team as they fought for a place in the next round.
