Slovakia achieved a surprising victory over defending gold medalists Finland in men’s hockey at the XXV Winter Olympic Games in Milan on February 11, 2026, with a final score of 4-1. This early upset signals potential shifts in the competition as the games progress.
Juraj Slafkovský, a key player for Slovakia, scored the first goal of the men’s tournament in the eighth minute, capitalizing on a turnover by Finland. He later added another goal, bringing his total to two for the game. Dalibor Dvorský and Adam Ružička also contributed to Slovakia’s offensive success.
Despite a strong offensive push from Finland, with 18 shots on goal in the first period, Slovakian goaltender Samuel Hlavaj delivered a stellar performance, limiting Finland to just one goal. Eeli Tolvanen scored for Finland in the second period.
Slovakia solidified their lead in the third period with goals from Dalibor Dvorský and Adam Ružička, the latter scoring into an empty net. The final score was 4-1 in favor of Slovakia.
In another match on February 11, 2026, Sweden, comprised entirely of NHL players, will face Italy. Phil Pietroniro, a defenseman from Kladno, will represent Italy in the game.
| XXV Winter Olympic Games: |
|---|
| Hockey – Men (Milan): |
| Group B (Santa Giulia Arena): |
| Slovakia – Finland 4:1 (1:0, 0:1, 3:0) |
| Goals and Assists: 8. Slafkovský, 48. Dvorský (Gernát, Liška), 51. Slafkovský (Š. Nemec, Dvorský), 58. Ružička (Tatar, Slafkovský) – 25. Tolvanen (Armia, Lehkonen). Referees: Furlatt (Canada), MacFarlane – Daisy (both USA), Wyonzek (Canada). Penalties: 2:2. Power Play: 1:0. Attendance: 11,025. |
| Slovakia: Hlavaj – Š. Nemec, Fehérváry, Černák, Gernát, Čerešňák, Marinčin, M. Ivan – Tatar, Ružička, Slafkovský – Regenda, M. Pospíšil, Kelemen – L. Hudáček, Dvorský, Liška – Okuliar, M. Sukeľ, Takáč – Cingel. Coach: Országh. |
| Finland: Saros – Lindell, Heiskanen, Ristolainen, Mikkola, Jokiharju, O. Määttä, M. Lehtonen – Rantanen, Hintz, Mikael Granlund – Teräväinen, Aho, Lehkonen – Kakko, Lundell, Luostarinen – Armia, Haula, Tolvanen. Coach: Pennanen. |
| 21:10 Sweden – Italy |
