U.S. and Canada Secure Olympic Hockey Gold‑Medal Showdown After 6‑2 and 3‑2 Semifinal Wins
Updated (12 articles)
USA Defeats Slovakia 6‑2 to Reach Gold‑Medal Game On Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 the United States beat Slovakia 6‑2 in Milan, with goals from Dylan Larkin, Tage Thompson, Jack Hughes (twice), Jack Eichel and Brady Tkachuk while Juraj Slafkovsky and Pavol Regenda scored for Slovakia [3][5]. Connor Hellebuyck made key saves, allowing only two late goals, and the U.S. maintained a flawless 12‑for‑12 penalty‑kill throughout the tournament [5][6]. The team outshot Slovakia 39‑24, logging 26 shots in the second period alone [5][6]. Coach Mike Sullivan sat out Thompson for the third period as a precaution after he blocked a shot [3].
Canada Edges Finland 3‑2 with MacKinnon’s Late Goal In the other semifinal, Canada defeated Finland 3‑2 on Feb. 20, 2026, with Nathan MacKinnon scoring the decisive goal with 35 seconds remaining [4][1]. Shea Theodore added the second Canadian tally and Tom Wilson and Brad Marchand provided physical presence, while Finland’s comeback fell short [1]. This victory secured Canada’s spot in the gold‑medal clash against the United States and marked the first Olympic men’s hockey tournament since 2014 to feature active NHL players [5][6].
Both Teams Enter Final Unbeaten, Top‑Seeded, and Fan‑Favored The United States and Canada entered the semifinals as the tournament’s top seeds, each unbeaten in group play and eager for the “everyone wanted” showdown [3][12]. U.S. defenseman Zach Werenski highlighted the matchup as the ultimate test, while captain Auston Matthews called the upcoming final a “full‑team effort” [2][3]. Canada’s roster, led by Connor McDavid’s nine points and Macklin Celebrini’s four goals, entered the final with a +17 goal differential [12].
Olympic Context Shows U.S. Momentum Across Sports While the hockey final looms, the United States sits second on the overall medal table with 29 medals (10 gold) behind Norway’s 37 medals (17 gold) [2]. Fellow American Alex Ferreira captured men’s freeski halfpipe gold, underscoring the U.S. team’s broad success at Milan‑Cortina [2]. The IOC announced a review of an IOC member’s attendance at a Trump “Board of Peace” meeting, adding a political subplot to the Games [2].
Sources
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1.
AP: U.S. and Canada Advance to Men’s Hockey Final at Milan 2026 Olympics: Photo gallery details the 6‑2 U.S. win over Slovakia and Canada’s 3‑2 victory over Finland, highlighting key scorers Hughes, Eichel, MacKinnon and the line‑person intervention in the U.S.‑Slovakia fight .
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CNN: USA Advances to Gold‑Medal Hockey Showdown as Alex Ferreira Wins Freeski Gold: Reports the 6‑2 U.S. semifinal, includes Alex Ferreira’s freeski gold, medal table standings, and IOC president Kirsty Coventry’s comment on a Trump‑related controversy .
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AP: U.S. Beats Slovakia 6‑2, Sets Up Gold‑Medal Clash With Canada: Emphasizes U.S. offensive depth, Werenski’s comments, Thompson’s precautionary benching, and Hellebuyck’s goaltending performance .
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CNN: USA advances to Olympic men’s hockey final, Canada wins dramatic semifinal: Covers both semifinals, adds details on Canada’s last‑minute MacKinnon goal, Swiss‑Norway curling results, and U.S. mothers’ bobsleigh victory .
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WBNS: USA Beats Slovakia 6-2, Advances to Olympic Gold Medal Game vs Canada: Highlights flawless 12‑for‑12 penalty kill, shot dominance, and notes the NHL‑player return after 12 years .
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King5: USA Men’s Hockey Beats Slovakia 6‑2, Secures Olympic Gold‑Medal Spot: Mirrors WBNS stats, adds player‑specific goal breakdown and confirms Thompson’s precautionary status .
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AP: Canada’s Top Women’s Curling Team Upset by Sweden, Men Await Gold Chance: Notes Canada’s women’s loss, men’s upcoming gold‑medal game against Great Britain, and broader curling context .
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WBNS: U.S. Women’s Curling Team Secures Semifinal Spot Over Switzerland: Details U.S. women’s 7‑6 extra‑end win over Switzerland and sets up their semifinal opponent .
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AP: U.S. and Canada Advance to Olympic Hockey Semifinals After Overtime Thrillers: Recaps earlier OT wins that set the semifinal matchups, including the U.S. 2‑1 OT over Sweden and Canada’s 4‑3 OT over Czechia .
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WBNS: USA Men’s Hockey Quarterfinals and Olympic Highlights: Provides pre‑semifinal background, noting NHL player participation and earlier round‑robin victories .
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King5: USA Men’s Hockey Quarterfinals and Olympic Highlights: Similar to WBNS, outlines quarterfinal schedule, NHL return, and preliminary results .
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AP: Canada and USA Set for Quarterfinal Showdowns at Milan 2026 Olympics: Announces quarterfinal pairings, seedings, and star players like McDavid and McDavid’s point totals .
Timeline
Feb 17, 2026 – The Olympic men’s hockey quarter‑final matchups are announced, pairing the United States with Sweden, Canada with Czechia, Finland with Switzerland, and Slovakia with Germany; Canada enters as the top seed with Connor McDavid leading the scoring, while the U.S. posts dominant preliminary wins over Latvia, Denmark and Germany, solidifying Connor Hellebuyck as starter[7].
Feb 18, 2026 – The Games feature the first Olympic participation by active NHL players in 12 years, raising the tournament’s profile and prompting broadcasters to stream the U.S.–Sweden quarter‑final at 3:10 p.m. ET on NBC platforms[10].
Feb 18, 2026 – In overtime, Quinn Hughes scores the winner as the United States edges Sweden 2‑1 to reach the semifinals, while Canada survives Czechia 4‑3 in OT thanks to Mitch Marner’s goal; Finland also rallies to beat Switzerland 3‑2 in OT, and Slovakia secures a semifinal berth with a 6‑2 win over Germany despite a head‑first board impact to Juraj Slafkovsky[6].
Feb 18, 2026 – Players voice nerves and relief after the quarterfinals: Dylan Larkin describes the tension as “as nervous as I’ve ever been in a hockey game,” Drew Doughty calls it “a little nerve‑wracking,” and Quinn Hughes says “just relief,” while coach Jon Cooper praises the team’s faith and Marner’s “it factor”[6].
Feb 19, 2026 – The U.S. women’s curling team defeats Switzerland 7‑6 in an extra end to clinch a semifinal spot, with skip Tabitha Peterson delivering the decisive hammer shot; the U.S. will meet Switzerland again in the semifinal, while Sweden (7‑2) faces Canada, and veteran curler Cory Thiesse eyes a second medal after her mixed‑doubles silver[9].
Feb 19, 2026 – Canada’s Brad Jacobs likens the upcoming men’s semifinal against Norway to a “déjà vu” of the 2014 Sochi Games, underscoring the historical rivalry and Canada’s confidence heading into the medal round[9].
Feb 20, 2026 – The United States thumps Slovakia 6‑2 in the men’s hockey semifinal, posting a flawless 12‑for‑12 penalty‑kill, outshooting 39‑24, and scoring six goals from Dylan Larkin, Tage Thompson, Jack Hughes (twice), Jack Eichel and Brady Tkachuk; Connor Hellebuyck makes key saves as the U.S. secures a gold‑medal game spot against Canada[8].
Feb 20, 2026 – Canada defeats Finland 3‑2 in the other semifinal, with Nathan MacKinnon’s last‑minute goal clinching the win and setting up a historic U.S.–Canada gold‑medal showdown, the first such final since NHL players returned to the Olympics[8].
Feb 20, 2026 – Sweden beats Canada 6‑3 in the women’s curling semifinal to earn a gold‑medal match against Switzerland, while the United States prepares to face Canada for the bronze medal on Saturday[5].
Feb 20, 2026 – Norway leads the overall medal table with 37 medals (17 gold), the United States sits second with 29 (10 gold), and host Italy is third with 27 (9 gold) as the Games progress[1].
Feb 20, 2026 – IOC President Kirsty Coventry announces that the IOC will review an IOC member’s attendance at President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” meeting, highlighting a rare intersection of sport governance and politics[1].
Feb 20, 2026 – Team USA captain Auston Matthews calls the upcoming gold‑medal clash with Canada a “full‑team effort,” expressing confidence after the 6‑2 win over Slovakia[1].
Feb 20, 2026 – Alex Ferreira captures the men’s freeski halfpipe gold with a decisive final jump, edging Estonia’s Henry Sildaru (silver) and Canada’s Brendan Mackay (bronze)[1].
Feb 20, 2026 – Mikaela Shiffrin, after placing 15th in the team‑combine slalom and 11th in the giant slalom, is slated to race the women’s slalom on Wednesday, with runs scheduled for 4:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. ET on NBC platforms[10].
Feb 20, 2026 – The men’s snowboard slopestyle final kicks off at 5:20 a.m. ET, featuring Canada’s Mark McMorris, USA’s Red Gerard and 17‑year‑old Ollie Martin, as McMorris seeks his first gold after recovering from a concussion[10].
Feb 22, 2026 – The United States and Canada are set to meet in the Olympic men’s hockey gold‑medal game, while Sweden and Switzerland will contest the women’s curling gold‑medal match, both slated for Sunday, concluding the Milan‑Cortina Games’ headline showdowns[1].
Dive deeper (9 sub-stories)
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AP: U.S. and Canada Advance to Men’s Hockey Final at Milan 2026 Olympics
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AP: U.S. Beats Slovakia 6‑2, Sets Up Gold‑Medal Clash With Canada
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USA Defeats Slovakia, Sets Up Gold‑Medal Hockey Clash With Canada on Sunday
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USA Defeats Slovakia 6-2, Secures Spot in Olympic Gold‑Medal Final Against Canada
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AP: Canada’s Top Women’s Curling Team Upset by Sweden, Men Await Gold Chance
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WBNS (Columbus, OH): U.S. Women’s Curling Team Secures Semifinal Spot Over Switzerland
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AP: U.S. and Canada Advance to Olympic Hockey Semifinals After Overtime Thrillers
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U.S. Men’s Hockey Set for Sweden Quarterfinal, NHL Players Return to Olympics
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AP: Canada and USA Set for Quarterfinal Showdowns at Milan 2026 Olympics