The American men dominated Latvia during their first game of the preliminary round of Olympic hockey in Milan, Italy, on Thursday, besting the Northern European men 5-1 with two goals from Brock Nelson.

Team USA skated to a 5-1 victory over Latvia in the Group C preliminary round opening tilt of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 at Santagiulia Arena on Thursday.

SportsLine's expert Mike Severance reveals his USA vs. Latvia picks for their Winter Olympics men's hockey matchup on Thursday

Team USA knows it will take everyone to contribute if it is to get where it wants to go at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Its championship formula was on full display in a 5-1 win against Latvia in the preliminary round opener for each team in Group C at Santagiulia Arena on Thursday.

Follow along for scores, live updates, and highlights as Team USA hockey takes on Latvia in the group stage at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Here's how to watch Team USA hockey's opening game of 2026 Winter Olympics versus Latvia on Thursday.

Team USA plays against Latvia in men's ice hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics today. Fans can watch this game for free online.

Team USA has begun play in the men’s hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics with a dominant 5-1 win over Latvia. The Latvians held their own in the first period, getting to intermission tied 1-1 thanks to a pair of successful challenges that disallowed two U.