The U.S. men’s hockey team is off to a 2-0 start in the tournament — and it’s doing so while enjoying the comforts of the Olympic Village.

It is somewhat surprising that the United States men's hockey team is staying at the Olympic Village in the first place. Higher-profile Olympic teams have often opted for off-site luxury hotels over the dorm-like atmosphere on site. Team USA basketball, for example, has not stayed at the Olympic Village since NBA players began participating in the Olympic Games in 1992 — the group famously known as the Dream Team.

Canada, the other main gold medal contender alongside the U.S., has opted to stay at a hotel instead of the Village. 

“I don’t think we’re doing it as an insult or anything like that,” Canadian goaltender Logan Thompson said in an interview with Sportsnet. “We want to win gold, and we want to give ourselves the best opportunity to do so.”

The U.S. has taken a different approach and does not believe staying at the Olympic Village will hinder its chances of winning gold. Head coach Mike Sullivan approved the decision.

“We think part of the experience is immersing yourself in the whole Olympic experience, and the Village is part of that,” Sullivan said. “That was part of the discussion.”

Players have echoed that sentiment.

“It helps us become a team even more,” Matthew Tkachuk said.

The Tkachuk brothers, Matthew and Brady, along with the Hughes brothers, Jack and Quinn, are also enjoying a bit of nostalgia, as both sets of brothers have roomed together during the Games.

“Last night, I made him wait up and watch a movie until I fell asleep just for his snoring, but everything’s been great and we’ve had a lot of fun,” Matthew Tkachuk said during a meet-and-greet with the U.S. Olympic women’s ice hockey team in Milan. “It feels like every time we’re in our room, we’re missing something.”

The players have also had the opportunity to meet NBC Olympic correspondent Snoop Dogg while in Milan.

“I didn’t know that was a thing until I got here,” Matthew Tkachuk said. “Coach Snoop came in and gave a half motivational speech, half hilarious quotes. We were excited to meet him.”

Pin trading has always been a core part of the Olympic experience. The U.S. hockey men are embracing the storied Olympic tradition.

“I’ve been a big pin-trader so far,” Matthew Tkachuk said. “Me and Larks (Dylan Larkin) are probably the two biggest guys on the team into it.”

The team appears to be striking a balance between focusing on winning gold and soaking in the moment. The Winter Olympics only happen once every four years, and NHL players have not participated in the Games since 2014, making this a rare opportunity for many on the roster.

“I just really want to look back on this experience years from now and remember all these special moments,” Tkachuk said. “Everybody realizes what a special opportunity this is.”

So far, staying at the Olympic Village has worked, as the U.S. sits at 2-0. But this is a team seeking a gold medal, not just a strong start.

The U.S. will take on Germany on Saturday at 3:10 p.m. ET on USA Network. The game can also be streamed live on NBCOlympics.com and Peacock.