Slovakia Upsets Finland in Olympic Hockey Opener
Updated February 11, 2026 at 6:37 PM ET. Published February 11, 2026 at 10:06 AM ET. Follow the Milan-Cortina Olympic Games live on our platforms! MEDAL TABLE | SPECIAL SECTION | BROADCAST SCHEDULE
Juraj Slafkovsky ignited the men’s Olympic hockey tournament, scoring the opening goal and adding an insurance marker for Slovakia in a decisive 4-1 victory over Finland. The Montreal Canadiens representative showcased his talent, mirroring his impressive performance from the 2022 Olympics where he was the tournament’s MVP with seven goals in as many games at just 17 years old.
Slafkovsky continued where he left off in Beijing, securing his third two-goal game of the Olympics. He nearly completed a hat trick, but a stick-breaking collision prevented a shot on the empty net.
Hlavaj Shines in Net
Slovak goaltender Samuel Hlavaj was equally instrumental, stopping 39 shots. The 24-year-old, undrafted by the NHL, signed a two-year contract with the Minnesota Wild in April 2024 and currently plays in the American Hockey League. His performance was a key factor in Slovakia’s win.
“We started well, but they (the Finns) have good players who had good chances. Hlavy was there for us when we needed him most, he made huge saves. It was an excellent game,” Slafkovsky told Radio-Canada. “I had some good opportunities. It’s a good start for me and for Slovakia. We were facing some of the best players in the world and we found a way to score four goals. We need to keep it going.”
Hlavaj reflected on the team’s synergy: “I saw that I could count on them, and they could count on me. If we continue to play like this, we’ll have a good tournament. It’s a big win for us.” He added, “I enjoyed the moment. I think that was the key. I went one shot at a time.”
Game Recap: Slovakia Takes Control
Slovakia started strong, with Milos Kelemen testing Juuse Saros early. Finland responded with increasing pressure, forcing Hlavaj to make several key saves against Kaapo Kakko and Mikko Rantanen. Slafkovsky broke the deadlock at 7:45 of the first period, intercepting a pass and deking Saros for a 1-0 lead.
Eeli Tolvanen of the Seattle Kraken tied the game at 4:15 of the second period during a power play, capitalizing on a setup from Artturi Lehkonen and Joel Armia. However, Hlavaj remained steadfast, making a crucial save on Lehkonen late in the period.
Dalibor Dvorsky put Slovakia ahead midway through the third period, capitalizing on a rebound after a faceoff win. Slafkovsky extended the lead to 3-1 with a precise wrist shot, and Adam Ruzicka sealed the victory with an empty-net goal.
Kapanen Sits This One Out
Montreal Canadiens forward Oliver Kapanen did not participate in the game, being a healthy scratch for Finland. The 22-year-old is the youngest player on the Finnish roster.
This victory marks a strong start for Slovakia in the Olympic hockey tournament, showcasing their potential to contend for a medal. For more on the Olympics, visit NBC Olympics.
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