"Toronto Maple Leafs and Team USA captain Auston Matthews wasn't the most noticeable player on the ice, but he did find the back of the net in the first game of the tournament. Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk opened things up in the first period, scoring with assists from his brother, Matthew, and Columbus Blue Jackets defenceman Zach Werenski. A little over two minutes later, Latvia evened things up with a goal from Renars Krastenbergs assisted by Tampa Bay Lightning forward Zemgus Girgensons, but that would be the extent of Latvia's competitiveness in the game."
"The States opened things up in the second period, with two goals from Brock Nelson, who is having a career year with the Colorado Avalanche and on pace for 40 goals in 2025-26. The first one was a power play marker, assisted by Jack Hughes and Vincent Trocheck, and the second was at even-strength, also assisted by Hughes and Matthew Tkachuk. Sandwiched in between those two goals was another power play marker from Tage Thompson, assisted by Jack Eichel and Quinn Hughes."
"In the third period, Matthews scored under three minutes into the frame on the power play with assists coming from Eichel and Hughes. It was his first goal of the tournament and effectively put the cap on any potential comeback from Team Latvia. Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck got the start in the team's first game and stopped 17 of 18 shots, with a less pretty but admirable effort coming from Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Arturs Silovs for Latvia, with 31 saves on 36 shots."
The United States opened its men's hockey tournament at Milano-Cortina 2026 with a 5-1 victory over Latvia. Brady Tkachuk scored in the first period with assists from Matthew Tkachuk and Zach Werenski. Renars Krastenbergs briefly tied the game for Latvia before the U.S. pulled away in the second period with two goals from Brock Nelson and a power-play goal from Tage Thompson, with playmaking from Jack Hughes, Vincent Trocheck, Jack Eichel and Quinn Hughes. Auston Matthews added a third-period power-play goal, and Connor Hellebuyck stopped 17 of 18 shots while Arturs Silovs made 31 saves on 36. The U.S. faces Denmark next.
Read at TheLeafsNation
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