Slovakia opened the 2026 Winter Olympics with a decisive 4–1 victory over defending champion Finland, powered by two goals from Juraj Slafkovský and a 38-save performance from Samuel Hlavaj.

Slovakia is the first team to move to 2-0 at the men’s Winter Olympic hockey tournament, beating Italy 3-2 on Friday afternoon. With the win, Slovakia currently leads Group B with six points.

Slovakia's Olympic hockey roster has some NHL players but could have trouble originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Slovakia is part of the Winter Olympics' opening men's hockey game on Wednesday.

San Jose Sharks forward Pavol Regenda would love his second trip to the Winter Olympic Games to go as well as his first. Regenda was part of a Slovakian team in 2022 that at first had modest expectations going into the Games in Beijing.

The first shock of the 2026 Winter Olympics men's hockey tournament occurred in the first group-stage game. Slovakia pulled off a 4-1 upset over Finland to change the dynamic in Group B. Sweden, the favorite to win Group B, beat host nation Italy, 5-2, in a game that was far more competitive than most people thought it would be.

The Slovakia men’s hockey team upset Finland 4-1 in Wednesday’s round robin opener at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. And thanks to the hockey game, a fugitive’s 16-year escape from authorities also came to an end.

Win-or-go-home hockey begins today as the USA women’s team faces host nation Italy in the quarterfinals. “Quad God” Ilia Malinin takes the ice again, hoping to cement his status as the best male figure skater and win gold. All times are in Eastern, and an asterisk signifies a medal event.

A Slovakian hockey fan was arrested in Milan on a 16-year-old warrant and missed his team’s stunning 4-1 Olympic upset over Finland after allegedly committing thefts in 2010.

Slovakia and Finland face off in this Group B men's ice hockey matchup during the 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday.