Slovakia, Finland to Clash in 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics Opener
The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 are underway, featuring an exciting match-up in men’s ice hockey. Slovakia will face Finland in the tournament opener, marking the first time NHL players compete in the Olympics since the 2014 Sochi Games.
Match Details
The game is scheduled for 10:40 a.m. ET and will be broadcasted across multiple platforms, including Peacock, USA, CBC Gem, and TSN.
Team Profiles
- Finland: The Finnish national team enters the tournament after securing its first Olympic gold in Beijing 2022. They have retained 18 out of 23 players from their successful roster in the preceding 4 Nations Face-Off. Key additions include defensemen Miro Heiskanen from the Dallas Stars and Rasmus Ristolainen from the Philadelphia Flyers, both returning from injuries.
- Slovakia: The Slovak team comes in with a sense of pride after winning its first Olympic ice hockey medal: a bronze at the Beijing 2022 Games. Among their ranks is Juraj Slafkovsky, who was named the most valuable player of the tournament, scoring seven goals in seven games.
Historical Context
This upcoming match marks a notable encounter, as the two teams last faced each other in Olympic play during the 2010 Vancouver Games. Finland triumphed in that match with a score of 5-3, which remains the only Olympic game involving NHL players between these nations.
The stakes are high as both teams look to establish their dominance early in the tournament. This year’s competition format consists of each team playing three preliminary games before advancing to a single-elimination playoff, culminating in the gold medal match scheduled for February 22, 2026.
