USA and Canada Men's Ice Hockey: 2026 Winter Olympics Results and Schedule
Both the United States and Canada have commenced their campaigns with impressive victories at the 2026 Winter Olympics men's ice hockey tournament in Milan, Italy. The event, one of the most highly anticipated of the Games, sees the return of National Hockey League (NHL) players to Olympic competition for the first time since 2014, following agreements between the NHL and the International Olympic Committee.
Historical Context and Favourites
Historically, men's ice hockey at the Winter Olympics has been dominated by a select group of nations. The past three gold medal winners include Finland in 2022, Olympic Athletes from Russia (OAR) in 2018, and Canada in 2014. Prior to that, Canada also secured gold in 2010 by defeating the United States in a memorable final in Vancouver.
The United States holds a total of 11 medals in Olympic ice hockey but has not claimed the gold since the "Miracle on Ice" in 1980, over 45 years ago. Their only other gold medal dates back to 1960. The absence of NHL players in the 2018 and 2022 Games significantly impacted the competitiveness of teams like the USA and Canada, as agreements could not be reached.
With NHL players participating once more in 2026, Canada enters as the clear favourites to win the gold medal in Milan. The United States is positioned as the second favourite, though they are widely regarded as the team to beat in the women's ice hockey tournament, highlighting their strong overall hockey programme.
Men's Ice Hockey Schedule and Results
Teams have been conducting intensive training sessions at the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena in preparation for the Games. Below are the fixtures and results for the USA and Canada men's teams during the preliminary rounds.
USA Fixtures and Results
- February 12: Latvia 1-5 USA
- February 14: USA vs Denmark
- February 15: USA vs Germany
Canada Fixtures and Results
- February 12: Czech Republic 0-5 Canada
- February 13: Switzerland vs Canada
- February 15: Canada vs France
Should both teams advance successfully through the preliminary games, the subsequent knockout stage schedule will be as follows:
- February 17: Playoff round
- February 18: Quarter-final
- February 20: Semi-final
- February 21: Bronze-medal game
- February 22: Gold-medal game
All matches will be hosted at either the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena or the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, providing world-class facilities for athletes and spectators alike. The return of NHL talent promises to elevate the competition, making this one of the most thrilling ice hockey tournaments in recent Olympic history.
