Zach Werenski scores as U.S. men’s hockey team finishes Olympic group stage unbeaten in Milan

United States completes preliminary round without a loss as knockout seeding takes shape

The United States men’s ice hockey team completed its first phase of competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan with an unbeaten record, closing group play on Sunday, February 15, with a 5–1 victory over Germany. Defenseman Zach Werenski scored in the win, adding to a preliminary round in which the Americans combined high-end scoring talent with special-teams production and steady goaltending.

In the finale against Germany, Auston Matthews scored twice and also set up Werenski’s goal. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stopped 23 of 24 shots as the U.S. finished group play without a defeat and secured the No. 2 seed for the knockout round. Canada earned the top overall seed.

How the U.S. navigated Group C: Latvia opener, Denmark test, Germany closer

The Americans began their Olympic tournament with a 5–1 win over Latvia on Thursday, February 12. Brock Nelson scored twice, while Matthews, Brady Tkachuk and Tage Thompson also found the net. The U.S. pulled away with a decisive second period that tilted both possession and shots on goal, while the power play contributed key goals.

On Saturday, February 14, the U.S. beat Denmark 6–3 in a game that required a response after early defensive lapses. Jack Eichel and Brady Tkachuk were central to the turnaround, and the Americans produced enough offense to maintain pace in the race for favorable seeding.

Sunday’s win over Germany then confirmed the U.S. as one of the tournament’s best-performing teams through the preliminary round, while also providing a signature moment for Werenski, a Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman appearing in his first Olympic Games.

What Werenski’s goal and role signal for the next stage

Werenski’s scoring contribution against Germany underscored the U.S. roster’s ability to generate offense from the blue line. His Olympic debut came earlier in the tournament, when the United States and Latvia opened group play on opposite sides featuring Werenski and Blue Jackets teammate Elvis Merzlikins for Latvia.

• February 12: U.S. 5, Latvia 1 (opening group game)
• February 14: U.S. 6, Denmark 3
• February 15: U.S. 5, Germany 1 (group finale; Werenski scored)

Knockout format and seeding implications

The men’s Olympic tournament includes 12 teams split into three groups of four. After each team plays three preliminary games, all 12 are ranked using tournament criteria that determine seeding for the qualification playoffs and quarterfinal matchups. With the United States securing the second seed coming out of group play, attention now turns to the knockout bracket and whether the Americans can carry their early scoring depth and special-teams efficiency into elimination games.

The preliminary round is complete; the tournament now shifts to single-elimination stakes where one off night can end a medal run.