Jack Hughes Leads Team USA Past Slovakia, Sets Up Gold-Medal Showdown With Canada

Jack Hughes delivered a standout performance, scoring two goals as the United States men's hockey team surged past Slovakia with a 6-2 victory in Friday night's Olympic semifinal. This emphatic win propels Team USA into the gold-medal game, where they will face top-seeded Canada—the tournament favorite—on Sunday.

The Americans wasted no time asserting their dominance, building momentum early and maintaining control throughout the contest. Hughes, a rising star and offensive catalyst, notched his first goal in the opening period and added another in the second, helping the U.S. establish a commanding lead that Slovakia never threatened to overcome.

• Jack Hughes scored two goals, leading all players in the semifinal.
• The final score was 6-2 in favor of the United States.
• The U.S. advances to face Canada for the gold medal.

This victory marks a significant achievement for the U.S. squad, which has showcased offensive depth and defensive resilience throughout the tournament. The Americans' special teams performed efficiently, and their balanced attack was on full display against Slovakia, who struggled to contain Hughes and his linemates.

With the win, Team USA sets up a much-anticipated championship clash against their storied rivals, Canada. The Canadians, who entered the tournament as the top seed, have lived up to expectations with a dominant run to the final. Sunday's matchup will be a rematch of classic Olympic battles, with gold and international bragging rights on the line.

For Hughes and his teammates, the path to the final has been marked by consistent scoring and strong team play. Their semifinal rout underscores the team’s championship aspirations and raises anticipation for a high-stakes showdown on the Olympic stage.