Team USA’s Olympic campaign began in explosive fashion Thursday night as they overwhelmed Latvia 5-1 in their tournament opener. Brock Nelson led the scoring with two goals while four different players recorded two assists each.
The Americans dominated from start to finish, outshooting Latvia 38-18. Connor Hellebuyck needed to make just 17 saves for the victory.
“Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd echoed through the arena seven times as the U.S. goal song played. Two of those celebrations were cut short when goals were overturned following coach’s challenges.
Brady Tkachuk opened the tournament scoring less than six minutes into the first period.
The Americans controlled long stretches of play, barely allowing Latvia to touch the puck. After a somewhat chaotic first period that included video reviews and a tying goal by Latvia, the U.S. found its rhythm.
“We believe in the depth we have. There’s good players on every line. That’s just where American hockey is right now.”
Tage Thompson extended the lead with a power-play goal, lifting a backhander into the top of the net. The 6-foot-6 winger’s placement on the top power-play unit paid immediate dividends.
Nelson’s second goal came during a highlight-reel sequence late in the second period. An odd-man rush turned into a passing clinic as Jack Hughes fed brother Quinn, who found Matthew Tkachuk. The puck worked its way back to Jack Hughes before reaching Nelson for an easy tap-in with 11.1 seconds remaining in the period.
Elvis Merzlikins endured a difficult night in Latvia’s net. After Nelson’s second goal, the goaltender sat in his crease with his head bowed. He was pulled after allowing four goals on 32 shots.
“If that guy wouldn’t score, probably the other guy would score because I felt completely two open guys, and it’s hard to save something like that.”
Captain Auston Matthews welcomed replacement goalie Arturs Silovs to the Olympics with another power-play goal in the third period. Jack Eichel and Quinn Hughes assisted on the play.
Eichel, Quinn Hughes, Matthew Tkachuk and Jack Hughes each finished with two assists. The balanced scoring demonstrated the depth that has become a hallmark of American hockey.
“I felt like we controlled the play. We’re going to continue to get better every game in this tournament, every period in this tournament. That’s our goal, and it’s a good start for us.”
The Americans showed complete buy-in from all four lines throughout the contest.
“I just think the depth that we have, it showed. I thought everybody played a great game tonight. You just see the buy-in. You see the buy-in of every line playing the right way.”
Team USA continues preliminary round play Saturday night against Denmark before facing Germany 24 hours later to wrap up group stage competition.
