MILAN (AP) — When the U.S. gave up a tying goal to Sweden with 91 seconds left in the quarterfinals at the Olympics, even the most seasoned players were on edge. "That’s as nervous as I’ve been ever in a hockey game,

The USA men's ice hockey team will play Slovakia in the Winter Olympic 2026 semi-final in Italy on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026.

Team USA is one win away from playing in the gold medal game in Milan. But first they face Slovakia in the semifinals.

The last time the U.S. men’s hockey team captured Olympic gold, a group of college standouts and minor-league nobodies engineered the Miracle on Ice. Forty-six years later, the Americans boast the strongest roster they’ve ever brought to an Olympics and the belief that it is at last their time again.

Bronze medalist Jake Canter of Team United States celebrates after competing in run three of the Men's Slopestyle Final on day twelve of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Livigno Snow Park on Feb. 18, 2026 in Livigno, Italy.

Team USA is set to face Canada for the Olympic women's hockey gold medal after dominating opponents with a 31-1 scoring differential, including a 5-0 win over its rival.