Meanwhile, USA scratches LaCombe as the Olympic hockey tournament intensifies with preliminary round play winding down.

MILAN (AP) — Finland defender Jenni Hiirikoski’s fifth and potentially final Olympic Games are over due to an upper-body injury that will require surgery, the Finnish Ice Hockey Association announced on Saturday.

Kakko has had a lot of success playing for his country. He helped Finland win the IIHF U18 World Championship in Russia in 2018, tying for the team lead with 10 points (four goals, six assists) in seven games, including a goal in a 3-2 win against the United States in the gold medal game.

Canada, Finland, Czechia and Slovakia won Friday's men's hockey games at the 2026 Olympics. Switzerland's Kevin Fiala left the ice on a stretcher.

In the first game of the men’s tournament, Finland dominated the play against Slovakia. However, the Finns struggled to put the puck in the back of the net. Along with Slovakia’s Juraj Slakfkovsky having a great performance, Finland ended up losing 4-1.

MILAN (AP) — As top-seeded Team USA practiced a day before its quarterfinal matchup against host Italy, the Canadians were on the nearby main rink reminding everyone it might not be time to count them out of the women’s hockey Olympic tournament just yet.

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.

If Sweden and Finland aren't at the top of Group B at the conclusion of the preliminary round, then the Olympics will have turned upside down.

The moment that hockey fans have been waiting for is finally here, with the men’s hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics kicking into full swing on Thursday, January 12. This year, NHL stars return to the Olympic stage,

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