Team USA knows it will take everyone to contribute if it is to get where it wants to go at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Its championship formula was on full display in a 5-1 win against Latvia in the preliminary round opener for each team in Group C at Santagiulia Arena on Thursday.

Team USA skated to a 5-1 victory over Latvia in the Group C preliminary round opening tilt of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 at Santagiulia Arena on Thursday.

Team USA has begun play in the men’s hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics with a dominant 5-1 win over Latvia. The Latvians held their own in the first period, getting to intermission tied 1-1 thanks to a pair of successful challenges that disallowed two U.

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

The U.S. men's hockey team had two goals disallowed in the first period but there was "never any panic" as the Americans beat Latvia.

Brignone shrugged off difficult, foggy conditions to win her fourth career Olympic medal and become, at 35, the oldest female gold medalist in women’s Alpine skiing. Romane Miradoli of France took silver, and Cornelia Huetter of Austria got bronze.

The United States looks to get off on the right foot in Milan on Thursday, as they open up Group C play at the 2026 Winter Olympics against Latvia.

There are some nations competing in these Winter Olympics that are shaking off the rust of international play and others that are just happy to be there. The United States is certainly neither, seeking revenge for its overtime loss to Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off final and validation for their IIHF World Championship last year.