The 2026 Men's Olympic Hockey tournament kicked off on Wednesday with a bang, with Slovakia upsetting Finland, and Italy giving Sweden a scare in their opening game. This is going to be a wild tournament.
Today, the United States takes on Latvia in both countries' first preliminary-round game. Is there a better way to kick it off than to pit two Columbus Blue Jackets teammates against one another? Probably not.
Let's take a look at both countries' upcoming schedules and how to watch.
United States
Today - February 12th - Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
- United States vs. Latvia - 3:10 p.m. ET - USA Network
- Zach Werenski and the Americans against Elvis Merzļikins and the Latvians
February 14th - Saturday - Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
- United States vs. Denmark - 3:10 p.m. ET - USA Network
- Former Blue Jacket Olivier Bjorkstrand will go up against Werenski.
February 15th - Sunday - Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
- United States vs. Germany - 3:10 p.m. ET - USA Network
- Super Stars Leon Draisaitl and Moritz Seider will try to upset the U.S.
Other Potential Games For The United States
- February 17: Qualification Play-off, 3:10 p.m.
- February 18: Quarterfinal, 3:10 p.m.
- February 20: Semifinal, 3:10 p.m.
- February 21: Bronze Medal Game, 2:10 p.m.
- February 22: Gold Medal Game, 8:10 a.m.
Latvia
Today - February 12th - Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
- United States vs. Latvia - 3:10 p.m. ET - USA Network
- Elvis Merzļikins will battle Zach Werenski.
February 14th - Saturday - Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena
- Latvia vs. Germany - 6:10 a.m. ET - CNBC
- Germany has 6 NHLers who will look to beat Merzļikins.
February 15th - Sunday - Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena
- Latvia vs. Denmark - 1:10 p.m. ET - CNBC
- Denmark has 6 NHLers, including Olivier Bjorkstrand.
Other Potential Games For Latvia - To Be Determined
- February 17: Qualification Play-off, 6:10 a.m.
- February 17: Qualification Play-off, 6:10 a.m.
- February 17: Qualification Play-off, 10:40 a.m.
- February 17: Qualification Play-off, 3:10 p.m.
- February 18: Quarterfinal, 6:10 a.m.
- February 18: Quarterfinal, 10:40 a.m.
- February 18: Quarterfinal, 12:10 p.m.
- February 18: Quarterfinal, 3:10 p.m.
- February 20: Semifinal, 10:40 a.m.
- February 20: Semifinal, 3:10 p.m.
- February 21: Bronze Medal Game, 2:40 p.m.
- February 22: Gold Medal Game, 8:10 a.m.
Stay with THN - Columbus for all of the Zach Werenski and Elvis Merzļikins Olympic coverage.
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