U.S. steamrolls Slovakia in Olympic semis

MILAN — The sweat was barely dry from the game that had just finished and Matthew Tkachuk was already thinking about what comes next.

“You can’t really script it any better than that,” the American forward said Friday night following a 6-2 victory over Slovakia that now sets the stage for a 4 Nations Final re-match with Canada.

“All we cared about is putting ourselves in that position, didn’t really matter who we were going to play. But now that it’s all set in stone, everything happens for a reason.’’

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck continued to come up big for his country, stopping 22 of 24 shots in a game his teammates took full control of early. He’s now given up just five goals in four games.

“He’s incredible,” said Tkachuk.

“It seems like in a short tournament, even going back to last year at 4 Nations, he’s been a brick wall. He’s been awesome. He plays the puck very well. Seems like everything that’s hitting him, sticks, he’s so good. He’s so steady. Probably the greatest asset is just the confidence he gives us. We are very excited to have him behind us for the gold medal game.”

It helps to have an offence that’s firing on all cylinders as well.

Jack Hughes scored twice, while Tage Thompson, Brady Tkachuk and Jack Eichel each chipped in with a goal and an assist. Dylan Larkin had the other tally, while defenceman Zach Werenski had three helpers on the night.

“I think we have everything,” Hellebuyck said of his team.

“We have chemistry, we have awesome d-men, we have awesome scorers, playmakers, penalty kill, power play, like, we have it all.”

Naturally, the topic of the 4 Nations came up, with Hellebuyck on the losing end of that 3-2 overtime thriller which ended with Connor McDavid’s goal.

A chance here for some ice-cold revenge? Hellebuyck, the fishing aficionado, wasn’t biting.

“You know, I’m going to be honest. I’m not thinking about it right now,” he said. “I’m going to enjoy the win and then prepare (Saturday).”

Slovakia had been a nice story in these Olympics, winning their group with a 2-1 record and then routing Germany in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

But they ran into a buzzsaw American squad that appears to be hitting its stride at the right time.

“This group, we believe it’s the best group in the whole tournament. Best group in the world,” said Hughes. “We’re really proud Americans and we’re excited to have a chance at the gold medal.”

This will be just the third time these countries meet in a best-on-best gold medal game at the Olympics. Canada is a perfect 2-0, winning in 2002 and 2010.

“It’s what every American and Canadian grows up watching. Grows up hearing about. This is the pinnacle of the sport. This is as good as it gets. A rivalry that’s as good as it gets,” said Tkachuk.

“So there will be not one TV without this game on in the United States and in Canada and that should get you pretty fired up.”

Perhaps not quite as excited is Jets forward Kyle Connor, who was a healthy scratch for a third straight game. He was put on a line with Larkin and Thompson to start the tournament, but played himself out of the lineup after going without a point or even a shot on goal in his first two outings.

He is now the 14th forward — teams can dress 13 — and likely his only way into Sunday’s game is through an injury. On that front, Thompson did exit the game in the second period and didn’t return, so perhaps there could be a window of opportunity?

“Tage, we held him out for precautionary reasons more than anything,” said head coach Mike Sullivan.

“We held him out for a lower body injury, so we’ll see how he recovers. But I would anticipate him being ready for game-time.”

The last time the United States men’s hockey team won the gold medal at the Olympics was way back in 1980 at Lake Placid — also known as the “Miracle On Ice.” Such an outcome this time would be anything but miraculous.

“Without a doubt (Friday’s game) is the best that we’ve played,” said Sullivan.

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“I think players have a better understanding of the role they’ve been cast in and what their contribution is to try and help us win. I couldn’t be more proud of these guys. It’s truly a privilege to be their coach, to watch these guys compete the way they do. We know we have a challenge in front of us and a hard one in front of us. I couldn’t be more happy with them.”

The American women’s hockey team has already captured the gold medal, rallying late on Thursday to beat Canada 2-1 in overtime.

Might that be a good omen for the men? Hellebuyck sure hopes so.

“They wore our colours proudly and I couldn’t be more proud of them,” he said. “Now it’s our turn.”

www.winnipegfreepress.com/mikemcintyre

Mike McIntyre
Sports columnist

Mike McIntyre grew up wanting to be a professional wrestler. But when that dream fizzled, he put all his brawn into becoming a professional writer.

   Read full biography