After a 12-year hiatus, NHL stars are back on Olympic ice, and the drama has already begun! In a stunning upset, Slovakia’s Juraj Slafkovsky led his team to a 4-1 victory over defending champions Finland, kicking off the men’s hockey tournament in Milan and Cortina with a bang. But here’s where it gets even more exciting: the 21-year-old winger not only scored the first goal of the event but also racked up three points, solidifying his place as one of Slovakia’s all-time Olympic greats. With nine goals in just eight Olympic games, Slafkovsky now ranks third among Slovakian men in Olympic scoring, trailing only legends Marian Hossa and Miroslav Satan. And this is the part most people miss: his chemistry with linemates Adam Ruzicka and former Montreal Canadiens captain Tomas Tatar was nothing short of electric, proving that Slovakia is a force to be reckoned with.
But here’s the controversial part: Finland, the reigning Olympic champions, looked uncharacteristically flat, leaving many to wonder if their roster decisions—like benching NHL rookie Oliver Kapanen—played a role in their downfall. Is this a sign of deeper issues for the Finns, or just an off day? Let’s dive into the details.
The game, held at the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, saw Slafkovsky open the scoring unassisted in the first period, setting the tone for Slovakia’s dominance. Finland briefly responded in the second period with a goal from Eeli Tolvanen, but Slovakia’s third-period outburst—including Slafkovsky’s second goal and an empty-netter by Ruzicka—sealed the deal. For a full breakdown of the action, check out the official Olympic game summary here.
Looking ahead, the tournament is just getting started. Set your alarms early for Alexandre Texier and France’s showdown with Switzerland at 6:10 a.m. ET, followed by Nick Suzuki and Canada’s clash with Czechia at 10:40 a.m. ET. Both games will take place at the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, and you can catch all the action on CBC/CBC Gem here, Radio-Canada/ICI TOU.TV here, and select games on TSN here, Sportsnet here, and RDS here.
Now, here’s a thought-provoking question: With Slovakia’s impressive start and Finland’s unexpected stumble, are we witnessing a shifting of the guard in international hockey? Or is this just a fluke? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your take on this Olympic upset!
