MILAN — Brock Nelson, on the bubble to make the Olympic team to start the season but having left no doubt by midseason, was in the middle of everything in the United States’ 5-1 beating of Latvia on Thursday night to open their Olympics.
In a nightmarish first period, the Colorado Avalanche center was offside to overturn a Quinn Hughes goal, had a goal of his own overturned when it was determined J.T. Miller interfered with Latvia’s Elvis Merzļikins, and later hit the post on a power play for good measure.
But his bad fortunes took a 180 in the second period when Nelson scored two goals to help lift the Americans to victory.
It’s almost fitting that Nelson had his fingerprints all over what was his first career game in the Olympics. He’s got quite the USA Hockey lineage, with his uncle Dave Christian a member of the 1980 Miracle on Ice and his 88-year-old grandfather Bill Christian and great uncle Roger Christian members of the 1960 gold medal-winning Olympic team. Another great uncle, Gord Christian, won a silver medal with the 1956 U.S. Olympic team.
In what had been a frustrating game, as the Americans couldn’t blow the door off Merzļikins and his hard-working teammates, the United States seized control during a dominant middle frame.
Brady Tkachuk scored an early first-period goal, Tage Thompson and Auston Matthews scored power-play goals and Jack Hughes, Quinn Hughes, Jack Eichel and Matthew Tkachuk had a couple of assists each.
Connor Hellebuyck got the start and made 17 saves.
The United States next plays Saturday against Denmark.
First-period frustration
When Quinn Hughes took a Miller feed in the slot and snapped off a perfect shot into the upper-right corner of the net, the rout appeared to be on.
The hockey gods — and Latvia’s video coach Pēteris Groms — had other ideas.
Latvia head coach Harijs Vitolins challenged the play, believing Nelson was offside. The officials agreed, the goal was waved off, and just 26 seconds later, Latvia tied the game 1-1. A Matt Boldy turnover led to a scramble in front of the net, and Renars Krasternbergs — who never got higher than the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers in North America — swatted in a loose puck. In between the overturned American goal and the Latvian goal, American captain Matthews took an elbow to the face from Dans Locmelis, which went uncalled.
Team USA’s frustrations were only beginning, though. Nelson tipped in a Brock Faber shot from the point to give the Americans the lead again. Or so they thought: Vitolins challenged again, this time for goaltender interference. After a lengthy review of Miller’s brushing of Latvian net minder Elvis Merzļikins in the crease, the goal was again overturned, leaving the game tied. Just like that, Miller, one of American general manager Bill Guerin’s more controversial picks, had two assists wiped out in less than five minutes.
Latvia almost responded again seconds later, only this time by taking the lead. But Boldy made amends for his gaffe leading to the first goal by saving a goal this time around.
The Americans got back on their toes and started to push the play again, but continued to be stymied. Nelson — yep, him again — drilled a shot off the right post during a late power play, and Matthew Tkachuk found the crossbar in the final minute of the period, leaving the Americans to file back into the intermission somehow still tied with Latvia through 20 minutes.
Thompson comes up big
Guerin didn’t bring Jason Robertson or Cole Caufield, but he did add some offensive punch to the lineup after the 4 Nations Face-Off loss last February by putting Buffalo’s towering Tage Thompson on the roster. Thompson eased into his Olympics debut, looking perhaps a little tentative early on. But late in the second period, with the Americans nursing a one-goal lead, he scored a beauty of a power-play goal, taking a Jack Eichel feed at the side of the net and roofing a backhander over Merzļikins’ right shoulder for some much-needed breathing room.
Being on a power-play unit with Matthews, Eichel, Quinn Hughes and Matthew Tkachuk is certainly something, Thompson said before the game.
“It’s awesome,” he said. “I mean, everyone’s a threat. It’s fun, a ton of skill. I’m just trying to do my part and hopefully help contribute some goals.”
Thompson already etched his name in American hockey history with the overtime winner in the gold medal game of the World Championship last May, giving the United States its first title in that event in 92 years.
U.S. fourth line shines
Guerin has gotten a lot of flak for passing over Robertson and Caufield for the likes of Miller and Vincent Trocheck, but Guerin’s been steadfast in his belief that the Olympics are not meant to be an All-Star Game and there needs to be players who grasp the not-so glamorous roles.
So when Jake Guentzel took a penalty in the first minute of the second period, it wasn’t shocking to see Miller and Trocheck be first over the boards. And after just one rotation of forwards Dylan Larkin and Nelson, Miller and Trocheck were right back out there for the easy kill.
But Miller made his presence felt in the first period and was oh-so close to a couple points, Trocheck (who was technically the 13th forward) assisted on one of Nelson’s goals and Nelson scored twice.
And then there’s Jack Hughes, who’s not your typical fourth-liner, that’s for sure. The New Jersey Devils star didn’t pout, at least outwardly. He had the primary assist on both of Nelson’s goals.
Hellebuyck gets the initial start
Like Jordan Binnington getting the first start for victorious Canada, Hellebuyck likely earned the Olympic start in the 4 Nations Face-Off when he played so well for a U.S. team that lost in overtime to Canada in the final.
Well, that, and the fact he’s the reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy winner despite a down year in Winnipeg.
Hellebuyck gave up the early goal and he certainly wasn’t tested much, but so far, so good, as he backstopped the United States to its first victory.
Interestingly, Jeremy Swayman backed him up rather than Jake Oettinger, who was the second goalie during the 4 Nations and started one game there.