MILAN — There’s no longer any debate: the ultimate showdown in men’s Olympic hockey is set.

North America’s titans, the United States and Canada, will finally settle the score on the ice for the gold medal on Sunday.

Hours after Canada staged a thrilling comeback from a two-goal deficit to oust Finland and punch their ticket to Sunday’s gold medal game, the Americans made their own emphatic statement.

Jack Hughes erupted for two goals, and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was nearly flawless, stopping all but two shots as Team USA dominated Slovakia 6–2 in the second game of Friday night’s semifinals.

The Americans are chasing their first Olympic gold in men’s hockey since the legendary 1980 “Miracle on Ice,” a triumph that shocked the sports world. Since then, the U.S. has reached the gold-medal match twice, only to fall to Canada in Vancouver 2010 and Salt Lake City 2002.

That could change Sunday.

While Canada has long held the edge in this storied rivalry, the Americans arrive in Milan with their most formidable Olympic roster ever assembled — brimming with NHL-caliber defensemen and anchored by a three-time Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender. They may lack Canada’s sheer offensive firepower, but their precision, speed and elite netminding could be enough to push them over the edge for the first time in more than four decades.

Dylan Larkin opened the game with two early shots on net, both stopped by Slovakia’s Samuel Hlavaj. Slovakia responded nearly four minutes in when Adam Ružička fired the team’s first attempt, only to be denied by Hellebuyck.

On the next shift, Larkin struck first.

A breakdown in Slovakia’s line change left the defense exposed, and he fired a crisp wrist shot past Hlavaj off a perfect feed from Zach Werenski, giving the Americans an early lead. It was the second straight game in these Olympics that he had opened the scoring.

About nine minutes in, Charlie McAvoy collided with Hlavaj, sending the Slovak goaltender sprawling. He was assessed a minor for goaltender interference, and the U.S. successfully killed the penalty.

Brock Nelson retrieved a loose puck and set up Larkin for a dangerous one-timer, but Hlavaj made a spectacular save to keep Slovakia within striking distance.

Moments later, another minor — delay of game — gave Slovakia a second power play. The Americans turned the tables shortly after when Miloš Kelemen tripped Hughes, setting up their first man-advantage goal. Jack Eichel fed Tage Thompson, who unleashed a quick one-timer to double the lead, 2–0.

Early tension flared when Martin Fehérváry flattened Brady Tkachuk after a whistle, earning a roughing penalty. A brief 4-on-4 situation followed after Auston Matthews was whistled for hooking.

Penalty trouble continued when McAvoy was called for high-sticking. Slovakia failed to capitalize on consecutive power plays, and the U.S. held firm without allowing a single shot. Fehérváry later returned to the box for holding, but Hlavaj’s highlight-reel stops kept the deficit manageable.

Then came the decisive flurry.

The Americans struck twice in just 19 seconds. Hughes weaved through defenders and fired a shot that created chaos in front, and moments later Eichel converted off another defensive breakdown.

Hlavaj was pulled for Stanislav Škorvánek — a move that sparked debate across social media and in the broadcast booth. Many felt the goaltender hadn’t deserved to be replaced. He appeared to agree, slamming his gloves against the glass in frustration as he headed to the bench.

Discipline continued to haunt Slovakia. Oliver Okuliar was sent off for cross-checking, briefly pinning the Americans in their own zone — but Hellebuyck remained unshakable.

Hughes capped the period with his second goal, converting a Werenski rebound from the doorstep to make it 4–0 heading into the final frame.

Thompson did not return after leaving the bench early due to a second-period injury and was sidelined as a precaution.

Slovakia finally broke through five minutes into the third when Juraj Slafkovský capitalized on a misplayed puck behind the net, firing a quick shot past Hellebuyck to make it 5–1.

Matthew Tkachuk went on a solo rush but was denied on his first attempt. On his second breakaway, he converted with a smooth backhand into the far side, extending the lead to 6–1.

Slovakia showed resilience late, with Pavol Regenda beating Hellebuyck glove-side to trim the deficit to 6–2. But with just over six minutes remaining, the outcome was all but sealed.

The Americans had stamped their ticket to a classic gold-medal showdown with Canada.

But first, tempers boiled over.

Slovakia defenseman Erik Černák took exception to a hit by Tkachuk. The two engaged in a heated stick battle before locking eyes in a tense stare-down.

The skirmish escalated as the American winger landed a right hand while officials tried to intervene. Černák responded with a series of lefts, and Brady jumped in, throwing punches of his own.

Everyone involved was ejected. Brady received a roughing penalty, briefly giving Slovakia a man advantage.

In the end, it didn’t matter.

Team USA powered through, secured a commanding 6–2 victory, and now turns its attention to the game the hockey world has been waiting for — a winner-take-all Olympic gold medal clash against Canada.