U.S.-Canada Olympic Hockey Final Officially Set on Sunday/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Team USA rolled past Slovakia 6-2 to secure a highly anticipated Olympic gold-medal showdown with Canada. Zach Werenski led the way with three assists as the Americans overwhelmed the Slovaks. The rivalry final revives memories of past Olympic clashes, including Canada’s 2010 overtime win.
USA vs. Canada Olympic Hockey Final Quick Looks
- U.S. defeats Slovakia 6-2 in semifinals
- Zach Werenski tallies three assists
- Dylan Larkin, Tage Thompson, Jack Hughes, Jack Eichel score
- Connor Hellebuyck solid in goal
- Canada rallies past Finland to advance
- Gold-medal game set for Sunday in Milan
- U.S. chasing first Olympic gold since 1980
Deep Look: U.S.-Canada Olympic Hockey Final Officially Set on Sunday
The long-anticipated Olympic gold-medal clash between the United States and Canada is finally set.
After both North American powers navigated group play unbeaten, the Americans sealed their spot with a commanding 6-2 semifinal victory over Slovakia on Friday night in Milan. The result guarantees a championship showdown that fans and players alike have circled since the tournament began.
“It’s the matchup everyone wanted,” defenseman Zach Werenski said after a three-assist performance helped power the U.S. into the final.
Americans Take Control Early
The United States wasted little time asserting its dominance. Dylan Larkin, Tage Thompson, Jack Hughes and Jack Eichel scored as the Americans chased Slovak goaltender Samuel Hlavaj midway through the second period. By halftime, the U.S. had built a commanding 5-0 lead.
Hughes added a second goal shortly after a power play expired, and Brady Tkachuk converted a breakaway in the third period to extinguish any lingering Slovak hopes.
After surviving an overtime scare against Sweden in the quarterfinals, the Americans delivered one of their most complete performances of the tournament when it mattered most.
“That was definitely one of our strongest games,” said Quinn Hughes, who has been among the standout players in Milan alongside his brother Jack. “You want to feel good going into the next one.”
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck continued to justify coach Mike Sullivan’s confidence, turning aside key chances as the U.S. controlled the pace and outshot Slovakia by a wide margin.
Injury Watch Ahead of Final
One concern emerged when Take Thompson exited in the second period after blocking a shot. Sullivan described the move as precautionary and expressed optimism that Thompson would be ready for Sunday’s final.
With a day to recover before facing Canada, the Americans will monitor his status closely.
Canada Awaits
Canada punched its ticket earlier Friday with a comeback win over Finlandsetting up a final that revives one of hockey’s fiercest rivalries.
The two teams last met in an Olympic gold-medal game in 2010, when Canada prevailed in overtime on Sidney Crosby’s iconic “golden goal.” Crosby’s availability this time is uncertain after he missed Canada’s semifinal with an injury.
The buildup to Sunday’s championship also carries echoes of last year’s NHL-run 4 Nations Face-Off, where early fights and an overtime Canadian victory reignited the modern rivalry.
“We’ll be looking forward to this one,” Brady Tkachuk said. “Now it’s here.”
History at Stake
The U.S. men have not won Olympic gold since the “Miracle on Ice” at the 1980 Lake Placid Games. Their last trip to the final came in 2010, ending in that overtime loss to Canada.
For this roster — loaded with NHL talent — the opportunity represents more than revenge. It’s a chance to reclaim Olympic supremacy.
“It motivates us,” Werenski said. “It’s not pressure. It’s exciting.”
Slovakia, meanwhile, will face Finland in the bronze-medal game, seeking just its second Olympic hockey medal after earning bronze in Beijing in 2022.
But the spotlight now shifts entirely to Sunday’s final — the United States versus Canadaa rivalry renewed on hockey’s biggest international stage.
More on Sports
Comments are closed.