MILAN, Italy – Adam Ruzicka continued his impressive form, scoring his second goal in as many games as Slovakia defeated Italy 3-2 in a tightly contested Olympic group stage match . The victory at Rho Arena in Milan secures Slovakia sole possession of first place in Group B.
Libor Hudacek and Matus Sukel also found the back of the net for Slovakia, who previously defeated Finland 4-1. Stanislav Skorvanek was solid in goal, stopping 20 of 22 shots faced. Italy, despite a spirited performance, remains winless in the tournament.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with Italy demonstrating resilience despite facing a talented Slovakian side. “I think the defense played pretty well today,” Slovakia defenseman Martin Fehervary said. “Other than the first period, I think we didn’t give up much. They had some chances, but we’ve done a pretty good job so far.”
Italy’s Dustin Gazley had a goal and an assist, while Matthew Bradley also scored. The Italian squad showed considerable fight, even deploying six attackers in the final minutes after a penalty to Martin Marincin. However, Slovakia managed to hold on for the win.
The second period proved pivotal. Hudacek opened the scoring for Slovakia at with a power-play goal. Sukel doubled the lead at , capitalizing on a play developed by Lukas Cingel and Adam Liska. Italy responded before the period’s end, with Bradley scoring on the power play at , injecting life back into the game.
The third period saw Italy push for the equalizer, but Skorvanek proved equal to the task for much of the frame. Italian coach Jukka Jalonen, in a desperate attempt to spark his team, pulled goaltender Davide Fadani, replacing him with Damian Clara after Fadani sustained a knock. Shortly after, Ruzicka extended Slovakia’s lead to 3-1 at .
Gazley’s late goal, with Slovakia serving a penalty, offered a glimmer of hope for Italy, but the team couldn’t complete the comeback. A penalty to Italy’s Thomas Larkin with just over a minute remaining effectively sealed their fate.
“We’re just coming out every night and giving our best,” Bradley told the IIHF website. “There weren’t many expectations coming in this for us, so we’re just competing. We’ve got a good group in here and we’re going to keep building and building, and see where it takes us.”
Italy’s goaltending situation was notable, with Clara seeing action after making 46 saves in a previous loss to Sweden, only to exit that game with an apparent injury. He allowed one goal on eight shots against Slovakia.
Slovakia’s victory sets up a crucial final preliminary round game against Sweden . A win would guarantee them a favorable position in the playoff bracket. Italy, meanwhile, will face Finland on , needing a victory to keep their Olympic hopes alive. Finland defeated Sweden 4-1, a result that adds further complexity to Group B.
The game highlighted Slovakia’s ability to capitalize on power-play opportunities, while Italy’s numerous penalties proved costly. Despite the loss, Italy demonstrated a competitive spirit and a willingness to battle, suggesting they could still be a factor in the tournament’s later stages. The Italians will need to clean up their penalty trouble and find more consistent offensive production if they hope to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
The match was a thrilling encounter, showcasing the high level of skill and intensity present at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Slovakia’s win solidifies their position as a team to watch, while Italy’s performance, despite the result, indicates they are not to be underestimated.