Team USA has won its opening game in the 2026 Olympic men's ice hockey tournament, upending Latvia by a final score of 5-1. The contest was not without some drama, as the first period included two successful coach's challenges from Latvia that wiped U.

America's Brock Nelson scored two as the U.S. beat Latvia 5-1 in a dominant showcase at the Milan Cortina Games.

The Americans opened their Olympic hockey tournament with a 5-1 win over Latvia on Thursday. Alexander Nemenov / AFP via MILAN – Brock Nelson was in the middle of everything in the United States’ 5-1 beating of Latvia on Thursday night to open their Olympics.

USA hockey's first game is today vs Latvia in the 2026 Winter Olympics. Follow for live score updates, standings, highlights from men's hockey.

The U.S. opened Olympic play by rolling past Latvia on Thursday night in a showcase of some of the country's best NHL players.

SportsLine's expert Mike Severance reveals his USA vs. Latvia picks for their Winter Olympics men's hockey matchup on Thursday

Olympic hockey is underway, and Team USA is front and center. The men open their tournament tomorrow against Latvia, while the women head into the quarterfinals versus Italy after a statement 5-0 shutout of Canada in preliminary play.

Team USA men's hockey will take on Latvia in their first game of the 2026 Olympics preliminary round. Here's the TV channel and start time.