While Latvia was able to hang with the U.S. men's hockey team through the first period, after that it was USA all the way. Team USA opened Olympic play with a commanding 5-1 group-stage win over Latvia on Thursday.
"We wanted to come out and give a great effort," U.S. captain Auston Matthews said after the game. "There are no weak teams in the competition, and everyone will give you their best. They played hard."
Matthews chipped in the final goal of the game to begin the victory lap for the U.S.
But the real masterclass of the matchup was taught by the Colorado Avalanche's Brock Nelson. He led the Americans with two goals and showed he literally has Olympic blood running through his veins.
Nelson isn't just from a hockey family, he stems from an Olympic bloodline that traces all the way back to his great uncle, Gordon Christian, who earned silver with Team USA 70 years ago at the Games in Cortina. Next, his grandfather, Billy Christian, and great uncle, Roger Christian, were teammates on the 1960 gold medal-winning squad. Finally, Nelson's uncle, Dave Christian, was on the "Miracle on Ice" team that won gold in 1980. Now, Nelson is continuing his historic hockey lineage as part of the Stars and Stripes squad looking to bring home the Olympic title once again.
"I felt all the emotions coming out there, super special, lots of family here too, just trying to soak it all in," Nelson said after the second period, in which he scored his second goal.
Playmaker Jack Eichel contributed two assists — one, of the glorious no-look variety setting up his captain — and praised Nelson's performance, even after two goals of his own were overturned during the game.
"He moves so well. He does all the little things really well, and he's got a great finishing touch," Eichel said of Nelson. "All of us as players really appreciate his game, and it was great to see him get a few huge goals for us."
Brady Tkachuk, assisted by his brother Matthew Tkachuk, and Tage Thompson added the additional two goals in the rout of Latvia in the opening group-stage game in Milan.
Quinn Hughes, Jack Hughes and Matthew Tkachuk also added two assists apiece in the all-around team triumph.
"It was an important win to start the tournament for us against a difficult Latvia team. We had good energy on the bench and I thought our guys handled the game well overall," said U.S. head coach Mike Sullivan.
Next up, the U.S. faces Denmark on Feb. 14. at 3:10 pm ET. Watch it live on NBCOlympics.com and Peacock.
Canada 5, Czechia 0
Canada shut out Czechia 5-0 to open group play at Milan Cortina. NHL stars Macklin Celebrini, Mark Stone, Bo Horvat, Nathan MacKinnon and Nick Suzuki put on a scoring show in the dominant opening victory.
Switzerland 4, France 0
Switzerland, led by captain Roman Josi, blanked France 4-0 to begin the Olympic tournament.
Germany 3, Denmark 1
Germany's Leon Draisaitl scored his first Olympic goal in a 3-1 win over Denmark.