Mens Olympic Hockey Takes Center Stage at Milan Cortina 2026

Day 5 of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics is delivering thrilling action, with eight gold medals awarded. The men’s hockey tournament has officially begun, and the excitement is palpable! Slovakia kicked things off with a 1-0 victory over Finland, thanks to a quick goal from Juraj Slafkovsky, the reigning Men’s Hockey Olympic MVP.

Slovakia Shocks Finland in Opening Match

Just under eight minutes into the contest, a turnover by Finland in their own zone allowed Slafkovsky to intercept the pass, pressure the net, and skillfully maneuver the puck past Juuse Saros for the game’s opening goal. The Santagiulia arena was packed, with a strong showing of support for Slovakia, creating an electric atmosphere.

NHL Stars Shine on the Olympic Stage

After a 12-year absence, NHL players are back in Olympic competition! This marks a significant moment for the sport, with nearly 150 players from all 32 NHL teams participating. Long-time NHL stars like Mikko Rantanen (Finland) and Victor Hedman (Sweden) are experiencing their first Olympics, adding a new dimension to the tournament. The Minnesota Wild are particularly well-represented, with four players – Jesper Wallstedt, Filip Gustavsson, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Marcus Johansson – competing for Sweden, plus a significant contingent of team staff.

Medal Mishaps and Italian Craftsmanship

While the competition is fierce, a minor issue has emerged with some of the medals. Several athletes, including Team USA gold medalists Breezy Johnson and Alysa Liu, have experienced their medals detaching from their ribbons. The Italian national mint is offering repairs, though some athletes, like Johnson, have received replacements. Johnson expressed a preference for having her original medal repaired, highlighting the sentimental value of the Olympic awards.

A Glimpse of Olympic Spirit in Milan

The Olympic spirit is visible throughout Milan, not just at the venues. The Milan Cortina Games logo is subtly integrated into the city’s landscape, including a striking illumination within the dome of the iconic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping mall.

Tournament Format & Key Contenders

The men’s hockey tournament features a 12-team field, comprised of the top eight nations in the IIHF rankings, host Italy, and three additional teams (Slovakia, Latvia, and France) who qualified through other tournaments. The teams are divided into three groups, with Canada, Finland, and the United States leading their respective groups. The format includes a group stage followed by a playoff round, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final. Learn more about the tournament format on the IIHF website.

What to Watch For

Keep an eye on Sidney Crosby (Canada), a veteran from the 2014 Sochi Games, who expressed his relief and excitement about the return of NHL players to the Olympics. The competition promises to be intense, with a wealth of talent on display. Beyond hockey, Day 5 also features medal events in alpine skiing, Nordic combined, and freestyle moguls, as well as men’s curling and snowboarding halfpipe qualifications.

Stay tuned for continued coverage from The Athletic as the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics unfold!