The United States men’s hockey team began its Olympic campaign with a 5-1 win over Latvia at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. The result continues a successful period for American hockey, which has included notable performances in recent international tournaments.
Last February, NHL players returned to best-on-best competition at the 4 Nations Face-Off. The U.S. team defeated Canada in a preliminary round and pushed them to overtime in the finals rematch. In May, Team USA secured its first gold medal at the IIHF World Championship since 1933.
Zach Werenski, defenseman for the Columbus Blue Jackets and a key figure on Team USA, noted how familiar he felt joining this year’s squad. “I think I’ll speak individually,” Werenski told reporters in Italy. “I feel like for me, I understand the systems a lot quicker. It felt like I’m just jumping right back into it. I feel like last year, it was so different than what we were doing in Columbus, it took me a second. I was thinking a lot out there, where I feel like now it’s more similar to our style this year and I’m just familiar with how he wants me to play. All the terms he’s using, I’m familiar with, which I think helps a lot individually.
“There’s a lot less thinking out there. It’s just playing hockey and not thinking about where you have to be. I think that’s great for us. I know for me, it’s individually feeling that way, but I’m sure other guys feel the same way.”
Team USA made few changes from last year’s group that competed together at both Montreal and Boston during the 4 Nations tournament. This continuity appeared evident against Latvia; after an early tie in the first period and strong goaltending from Latvian netminder Elvis Merzlikins (who plays for Columbus), Team USA dominated as the game progressed—outshooting Latvia 17-2 in the second period and scoring twice late in that frame.
As group play continues against Denmark on Saturday and Germany on Sunday before moving into knockout rounds, Team USA aims to capture its first Olympic gold since 1980.
Werenski highlighted how experience from previous tournaments could help guide this roster through challenging elimination games: “I know the guys that were there, (there’s an) understanding how hard it is to win the whole thing,” Werenski said. “You get down to the quarters, semis, finals, they’re all Game 7s. It’s exciting. It’s a challenge. There’s a certain type of—I don’t want to say pressure in that—but every play matters.”
Werenski contributed early by assisting Brady Tkachuk’s opening goal within five minutes of play and continued his strong performance throughout both even strength shifts and power plays.
Due to lineup needs—five left-shot defensemen dressed versus only two right-handers—Werenski played on his off side alongside Jake Sanderson of Ottawa; their pairing originated during last year’s 4 Nations following an injury to Charlie McAvoy.
“I’m familiar with it,” Werenski said regarding playing on his off hand with Sanderson again.”I played it last year with Sandy at the end of the 4 Nations.I don’t play it too much during the year so it’ll be a little bit of an adjustment,but it’s just hockey.”
