Olympic Update: Slafkovsky Stays Hot as Slovakia Edges Italy in Preliminary Round
The preliminary round of the 2026 Winter Olympics continued in Milan, where Slovakia held off Italy in a tightly contested 3-2 win at the Rho Ice Hockey Arena on Friday.
Juraj Slafkovsky, the 21-year-old forward and former No. 1 overall pick, continues to make his presence felt on the Olympic stage. He picked up an assist in the win, bringing his tournament total to four points (2 goals, 2 assists) through just two games.
Slafkovsky was active all game long, logging 18:25 of ice time and firing seven shots on goal. Simply put, he was everywhere.
Slovakia’s offense came alive in the second period, with three different players lighting the lamp over the course of the game. The first goal came on the power play at 16:09 of the second period, when Libor Hudacek buried a setup from Slafkovsky and Dalibor Dvorsky. That goal not only gave Slovakia the lead but also showcased the chemistry building between the team's young core and its veterans.
Just ten minutes earlier, at 6:15 of the second, it was Michal Sukel who doubled the lead with a goal assisted by Mislav Liska and Marek Cingel. Slovakia was buzzing, dictating the pace and capitalizing on Italy’s defensive breakdowns.
Italy, to its credit, didn’t go quietly. They struck first in the second period on a power-play goal from Dante Bradley, assisted by Alex Pietroniro and Chris Gazley at 2:54. That goal cut the deficit to one before Slovakia responded with their two-goal burst.
In the third period, Slovakia stretched the lead to 3-1 when Adam Ruzicka scored off a feed from Pavol Regenda and Tomas Gernat at 8:06. That insurance marker proved crucial.
Italy clawed back again just five minutes later, as Gazley found the back of the net off a setup from Ryan Larkin and Pietroniro at 3:35. But Slovakia held firm the rest of the way, weathering Italy’s late push and securing a key win in group play.
Slafkovsky’s performance continues to be a major storyline for Slovakia. He’s showing the kind of poise, physicality, and offensive touch that made him a top draft pick and a cornerstone for the Canadiens. If he keeps this pace up, Slovakia could be a team to watch as the tournament heats up.
What’s Next
Looking ahead, there’s more Olympic action on the horizon. Alexandre Texier and Team France are set to face off against the Czech Republic, while Nick Suzuki and Team Canada will take on Switzerland.
Puck drops are scheduled for 10:40 a.m. and 3:10 p.m. ET respectively at the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
With the group stage in full swing, every shift matters - and for players like Slafkovsky, every game is another chance to shine on the world’s biggest stage.