"Bouncing back from having a pair of goals wiped out by coach's challenges and Latvia tying it at 1, the Americans found their groove and for long stretches barely let their opponents have the puck. The U.S. outshot Latvia 38-18 and needed starter Connor Hellebuyck to make only 17 saves. Elvis Merzlikins was under siege at the other end and, after Nelson's second goal, sat in the crease with his head bowed in his lap."
"Brady Tkachuk scored the first U.S. goal of the tournament less than six minutes in, and Tage Thompson roofed a nifty backhander on the power play, making coach Mike Sullivan look smart for putting the 6-foot-6 winger on the loaded top unit. Four goals on 32 shots was enough to chase Merzlikins, who was pulled to start the third for Arturs Silovs."
"Four goals on 32 shots was enough to chase Merzlikins, who was pulled to start the third for Arturs Silovs. Captain Auston Matthews welcomed Silovs to the Olympics with a power-play goal, assisted on by Jack Eichel and Quinn Hughes. Each of them had two assists, along with Matthew Tkachuk and Jack Hughes. The U.S. next plays Denmark on Saturday night before wrapping up the preliminary round 24 hours later against Germany."
The U.S. opened Olympic men's hockey with a 5-1 win over Latvia in Milan. Brock Nelson scored twice while four teammates recorded two assists apiece. The Americans controlled possession and outshot Latvia 38-18, with Connor Hellebuyck making 17 saves. Elvis Merzlikins faced heavy pressure and was pulled after four goals on 32 shots, replaced by Arturs Silovs to start the third. Brady Tkachuk, Tage Thompson (on the power play) and Auston Matthews also scored. Jack Eichel, Quinn Hughes, Matthew Tkachuk and Jack Hughes each had two assists. The U.S. will play Denmark next, then Germany.
Read at ESPN.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]