Feb. 20 (UPI) -- New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes scored twice in a thrashing of Slovakia on Friday, helping Team USA clinch a spot in the 2026 Winter Olympics hockey gold medal game.
The Americans outshot the Slovaks 39-24 in the 6-2 triumph at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. They will meet the Canadians, who rallied to beat defending champion Finland in Friday's first semifinal, on Sunday in the gold medal game.
A win would give the United States gold medals in men's and women's hockey in the same Olympics for the first time in history.
Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin, who scored the opener in Wednesday's quarterfinal win over Sweden, put the Americans ahead again in the semifinal.
Tage Thompson unleashes a slapshot and rips it home. #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/Edo9qM9cGK— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) February 20, 2026
