MILAN — Team USA opened its 2026 Winter Olympics campaign with authority, rolling to a 5–1 victory over Latvia in a performance that underscored both its depth and its ability to steady itself after a bit of an awkward start to the game. 

What began as a tense, whistle-laden chess match gradually gave way to a showcase of American skill. Latvia navigated a chaotic first period — aided by two successful coach’s challenges that wiped away U.S. goals — and reached the intermission tied 1–1. But once the Americans settled in, the disparity in pace and execution became unmistakable. Crisp puck movement, layered traffic at the net front and ruthless finishing powered a four-goal surge over the final two periods, transforming early frustration into firm control.

Brock Nelson, the third-generation Olympian, paced the offense with two goals, while Brady Tkachuk, Tage Thompson and Auston Matthews each found the back of the net. Connor Hellebuyck turned aside 17 of 18 shots, delivering a composed performance behind a structured defensive effort.

Renārs Krastenbergs scored Latvia’s lone goal during a momentum-shifting sequence in the opening period. Elvis Merzļikins was pulled after surrendering four goals through two frames, giving way to Artūrs Šilovs, who allowed one goal in the third.

Dylan Larkin nearly ignited the scoring within the opening minutes, hacking at a loose rebound that trickled perilously across the crease, narrowly sparing Elvis Merzļikins from conceding the tournament’s first U.S. goal.

Moments later, Matthew Tkachuk glided through the neutral zone, abruptly pulled up, and dissected the defense before sliding a pass into space for his brother. Driving the slot with authority, Brady snapped a wrist shot that hissed past Merzļikins at 5:29, staking the Americans to a 1–0 advantage.

Roughly 90 seconds later, Quinn Hughes appeared to double the lead off a feed from J.T. Miller, but jubilation dissolved quickly. Latvia challenged for offside, and replay revealed Nelson had drifted a fraction over the blue line before relaying the puck back to Miller. The tally was overturned.

The reversal altered the tenor of the period. On the ensuing shift, Matthews absorbed a high, heavy hit with no penalty assessed. Play continued amid visible protest from the U.S. bench, and in the chaos, Krastenbergs located a loose puck at the top of the crease and chipped it home to even the score.

The Americans thought they had reclaimed the lead when Nelson deftly redirected a shot from Brock Faber, yet that goal, too, was wiped away. Officials ruled goaltender interference, citing contact between Miller and Merzļikins — though replays suggested the Latvian netminder may have initiated the collision.

Frustration simmered late in the frame. Nelson rang iron with a sharp-angle attempt, and Tkachuk followed by clanging another drive off the crossbar. The period closed with three goals scored, two erased, and the echo of metal punctuating a frenetic, emotionally charged start.

The Americans began the middle frame shorthanded after Jake Guentzel was assessed a hooking minor. The penalty kill held firm, and once back at even strength, Zach Werenski carved up the right flank with pace. His rising attempt was calmly swallowed by Merzļikins, who continued to steady his side.

At 10:38, Nelson finally restored order. Spotting Jack Hughes circling behind the net, he called for the puck, received it in stride, and sold forehand before shifting smoothly to the backhand to finish. The veteran’s celebration was emphatic, his second tally of the night pushing the United States ahead 2–1.

Late in the period, Roberts Mamčics was sent off for cross-checking, and the U.S. power play went to work. Jack Eichel feathered a pass into the slot for Thompson, who momentarily bobbled the puck before regathering and lofting a silky backhand over the blocker to stretch the margin to two.

In the dying seconds, what began as a developing odd-man rush snowballed into a two-man advantage. The Americans executed a clinical sequence of rapid exchanges — Tkachuk and Hughes playing catch through the seam — before locating Nelson in prime scoring territory. He buried the opportunity with 11.1 seconds remaining, sending his club to the third with a commanding three-goal cushion.

The final frame was scarcely underway when Kaspars Daugavins tripped Werenski, granting another opportunity with the extra skater. This time, the captain delivered. Matthews hammered a one-timer across the grain for his first Olympic goal, a decisive exclamation point that extended the lead to 5–1.

Midway through the period, Larkin was whistled for slashing, forcing the Americans back onto the penalty kill. By then, however, the outcome was largely academic. The United States had settled into structure, dictated pace, and methodically suffocated any hope of a Latvian resurgence.

What began as a choppy, controversy-laced opening evolved into a polished demonstration of depth, resilience, and finishing touch — an early Olympic performance that suggests this roster intends to give it their all for the gold medal.