"Just after former New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson finished off a tic-tac-toe passing play to put Team USA hockey ahead by three late in the second period on Thursday, the broadcast cut to a Latvian fan, his head down. That image almost perfectly summarized how the second half of the second period had gone. Latvia couldn't escape before they conceded a third U.S. goal in the middle frame."
"The picturesque passing play that resulted in Nelson's second tally left Latvian goaltender Elvis Merzlikins sprawling. He had no chance to stop Nelson, who tapped the puck into a yawning net. That goal came mere minutes after Tage Thompson put the U.S. in control by roofing a backhanded shot short-side past Merzlikins on an American power play. The U.S. came to life in the second period after a rocky start to Thursday's game."
"The U.S. had two disallowed goals in the first period, both as a result of Latvian coach's challenges. The first disallowed goal swung the Americans' early momentum. Ninety seconds after Brady Tkachuk opened the scoring early in the first period, Quinn Hughes' goal was called off after it was ruled that Nelson was offside entering the zone. Less than a minute later, Renars Krastenbergs tied the game at one."
Brady Tkachuk opened the scoring early, and Renars Krastenbergs quickly equalized for Latvia. The United States had two goals overturned in the first period after Latvian coach challenges, including an offside ruling on Nelson and a goalie-interference call on a Nelson tip-in. The Americans surged in the second period, with Tage Thompson scoring on a power play and Brock Nelson finishing a tic-tac-toe passing play to make the score comfortable. Elvis Merzlikins was unable to stop Nelson's tap-in. The United States cruised to a 5-1 victory in its first game of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Read at www.amny.com
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