The United States haven’t won gold in the Olympics since 1980. A game etched in our memories, when Team USA beat Russia in “The Miracle” game.
What better way is there to open the Olympic games than a commanding 5-1 victory against Latvia.
It was a family affair today with Brock Nelson, a third generation Olympian, the Hughes brothers, and the Tkachuk brothers, making an impact immediately. The “American Bash Brothers” Matthew & Brady Tkachuk took the honor to make the first appearance on the scoreboard for Team USA. Matthew set Brady up perfectly for a bar down rocket.
Without delay, Renars Krastenbergs delivered for Latvia, tying up the game putting Team USA back on their heels, keeping the Americans from scoring for the rest of the period. The 1st period was up for grabs and ended with all defense on both ends.
The 2nd period belonged to Team USA. Brock Nelson found himself wide open in the slot to deke the goaltender logging his first goal. Shortly after, Tage Thompson sat at the back gate with plenty of time to create a shot after he received the puck from Jack Eichel to roof a beauty giving Team USA a 2-goal lead.
20 seconds before the 2nd period ended, the Americans displayed one of the most spectacular “tic-tac-toe” sequences that we’ll see all year long. Jack Hughes drop passes to Quinn Hughes ,who backhand drops the puck to Matthew Tkachuk ,who fires it back to Jack Hughs, who then slings it to an open Brock Nelson in the slot sliding the rubber backdoor to score.
Very. Sound. Hockey.
Mr. Captain America, Austin Matthews scored his first goal of the tournament and last goal of the game on a powerplay gifted by Jack Eichel who had 2 assists in the game.
Four players found the back of the net, and ten different players logged a point for Team USA, and would’ve been more if there weren’t two controversial goals that were taken back from Team USA.
The international rules are slightly different from NHL rules, so they will have to adjust accordingly from here on out. The Americans need to keep that same energy moving forwards against their next battle against Denmark on Saturday, February 15th.
Dante Robinson | Senior NHL Analyst for The NSR Network
