Team USA Opens Olympics With 5-1 Win Over Latvia

At 34 years old, Brock Nelson just proved that experience still matters at the Olympics.

The Colorado Avalanche veteran scored two goals in the second period Thursday night, leading Team USA to a 5-1 victory over Latvia in their opening game of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. While Team USA's roster is packed with young talent, it was their oldest player who showed everyone how it's done.

Nelson broke a 1-1 tie early in the second period with a patient move in front of the net. New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes found him with a perfect pass, and Nelson danced around Latvia's goaltender Elvis Merzlikins to put the U.S. ahead 2-1.

Less than a minute remained in the second period when Nelson struck again. Hughes got the puck from Matthew Tkachuk and surveyed the ice, then fired a nifty pass to Nelson, who didn't hesitate with a one-time shot that found the back of the net.

Brady Tkachuk opened the scoring just over five minutes into the game with a quick wrist shot over the glove of Merzlikins. Latvia answered back when Renars Krastenbergs tied things up 1-1 in the first period, but that was all the offense they could muster against U.S. goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.

The Bright Side

Team USA dominated the ice with 38 shots compared to Latvia's 18. Tage Thompson and Auston Matthews both added power-play goals to seal the victory, showing the depth of talent on this American squad.

The game wasn't without drama. Nelson actually had an earlier goal called back after Latvia successfully challenged for goaltender interference, and another U.S. goal was waved off for offsides. But none of that could slow down the American momentum.

Team USA faces host nation Italy on Saturday, and if this performance is any indication, they're just getting started.