by The United States men’s ice hockey team took to the ice for the first time today in Milan when they faced off against Latvia. The men started their portion of the Olympic Games with a 5-1 victory in their first preliminary round game. The men will take on Denmark next on Saturday, February 14, at 3:10 p.m. ET and can be viewed on USA Network and streamed on Peacock. The US women’s hockey team matches up against Italy in the quarterfinals on Friday, February 13, at 3:10 p.m. ET and looks to advance closer to the gold medal.
The US men dominated on the ice as they got underway with their set of games, beginning with Latvia. Brady Tkachuk was quick to add a mark to the board for the United States at just 5:29 in the first period with help from Matthew Tkachuk and Zach Werenski. Latvia followed up with their own goal shortly after at 7:25 to tie the game 1-1. A late two-minute holding penalty was called against Latvia before the teams headed into the locker rooms for the first intermission.
Jake Guentzel served an early two-minute hooking penalty at 0:40 in the second frame, but Latvia was unable to utilize the advantage. The US scored its second goal of the game at 10:38 by Brock Nelson, assisted by Jack Hughes and Vincent Trocheck. Latvia served a two-minute cross-checking penalty at 16:54, and Tage Thompson took advantage of the power-play, adding a third tally to the board at 17:35, getting help from Jack Eichel and Quinn Hughes. The men closed out the second period with a goal from Brock Nelson at 19:48, on a setup from Jack Hughes and Matthew Tkachuk.
Latvia began the final frame by swapping out goaltender Elvis Merzlikins for Arturs Silovs, then serving a two-minute tripping penalty at 1:28. Auston Matthews capitalized on the power-play, scoring at 2:35, with support from Jack Eichel and Quinn Hughes. Dylan Larkin was given a two-minute slashing penalty at 9:11, and both teams served cross-checking penalties at 16:38. With Brock Faber already in the box, Brady Tkachuck served his slashing call that came on the same play before the conclusion of the game. Connor Hellebuyck helped secure the win for the United States after saving 17 of the total 18 shots on goal.
Image sourced via Google Images.
