Olympics men’s hockey, USA vs. Slovakia results and highlights

Team USA earns their first win of the Olympics men’s hockey round-robin play with a 2-1 victory over Slovakia.

It wasn’t easy, but Team USA managed to hang on against Slovakia, skating away with a 2-1 victory.

Ryan Donato was the best player on the ice for either team. He opened the scoring on the power play in the first with a quick wrist shot in the slot following a drop pass from Troy Terry. The USA lead lasted all of 25 seconds as Slovakia answered.

Tomas Surovy threw the puck on goal from the end boards, a harmless looking play that would have sent the puck wide. However, Andrej Kudrna got a stick on the puck, deflecting it under the blocker arm of Ryan Zapolski and into the net. Even with the deflection, it was a tough angle shot and a goal Zapolski certainly wanted back.

The U.S.A. dominated the second period, outshooting Slovakia 16-6, but could not get one past Slovakia goaltender Jan Laco. Team USA went back to the power play early in the third and that’s when Donato struck again. After receiving the puck at the side of the net from Mark Arcobello, Donato spun in front put the puck past Laco.

Unlike against Slovenia, USA did not sit back with the lead. They continued to pressure Slovakia until the final horn, never letting Slovakia pose a real threat after pulling Laco for the extra attack.

Laco made 29 saves for Slovakia. Zapolski fought the puck all game but stopped 21 of 22 shots.

Highlights

Next: Gary Bettman really screwed up this whole Olympics hockey thing

What’s Next?

Both teams will wrap up group play on Saturday at 7:10 p.m. ET. Team USA looks to end strong against the Olympic Athletes of Russia. Meanwhile, Slovakia tries to bounce back against Slovenia.