Workforce USA males's hockey tops Latvia: Schedule, scores, standings at 2026 Winter Olympics

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The People started their 2026 Olympic run with a cushty 5-1 win over Latvia. Workforce USA needed to shake off the rust earlier than carrying down the Latvians over the ultimate two intervals in a dominant effort.

The opening 20 minutes weren’t terribly spectacular because the U.S. and Latvia went into the primary intermission tied at 1-1. Workforce USA had two targets overturned because of coach’s challenges, and it hit three posts whereas additionally making some uncharacteristic errors.

The U.S. turned up the warmth proper from the opening puck drop of the second interval, and it was all Workforce USA within the remaining 40 minutes. The People had the Latvians operating round in their very own zone for the complete second interval, and Brock Nelson managed to bury a few targets.

Nelson was one of many sport’s standouts along with his two targets, however Jack Hughes and Quinn Hughes (two assists every) had been additionally littered all through the scoresheet. One other optimistic for the People was the chemistry between Matthew and Brady Tkachuk because the brothers mixed to open the scoring.

There was rather a lot to love about Workforce USA’s sport, particularly the final two intervals. The passing acquired cleaner as the sport progressed, the ability play tallied two targets and the forecheck was extraordinarily efficient. This may not be the People’ greatest check of the match, but it surely was an excellent begin nonetheless.

The People will attempt to construct upon this sturdy begin once they face Denmark of their second of three preliminary spherical video games.