Matthew Tkachuk's Assist Sparks Brady's 1st Olympic Goal

Team USA defeats Latvia 5-1 in opening Olympic hockey match

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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In the opening match of the Winter Olympic Games, Matthew Tkachuk provided a key assist that led to his younger brother Brady Tkachuk scoring Team USA's first goal against Latvia. The 5-1 victory set the tone for the American squad as they look to make a strong showing in the tournament.

Why it matters

The Tkachuk brothers' performance highlights the depth of talent on the U.S. Olympic hockey team, which features a mix of veteran leadership and rising young stars. Their early success could provide momentum as Team USA aims to contend for a medal in the highly competitive international tournament.

The details

Matthew Tkachuk found Brady at the top of the right circle, delivering a precise pass that Brady converted past Latvia's goalie Elvis Merzlikins, giving the United States a 1-0 lead just over five minutes into the game. Matthew contributed two assists in total during the game, playing an important role in this high-stakes Olympic match. After Latvia successfully challenged twice during the first period to knot the score at 1-1, Team USA regained control by scoring three goals in the second period to pull ahead decisively.

  • The play occurred just over five minutes into the game against Latvia.
  • Team USA scored three goals in the second period to pull ahead decisively.

The players

Matthew Tkachuk

A forward for Team USA and the older brother of Brady Tkachuk.

Brady Tkachuk

A forward for Team USA and the younger brother of Matthew Tkachuk, who scored the first goal for the United States in the Olympic match.

Elvis Merzlikins

The goaltender for Latvia who was unable to stop Brady Tkachuk's first Olympic goal.

Uvis Balinskis

A defenseman for Latvia who registered two shots on goal in the game.

Sandis Vilmanis

A defenseman for Latvia who registered one shot on goal in the game.

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What they’re saying

“To assist on your brother's goal, for it to be his first goal in the Olympics, to be the first goal for our team, it's going to be a memory for a lifetime, that is for sure.”

— Matthew Tkachuk (theconwaybulletin.com)

What’s next

Team USA will look to build on their strong start as they continue their Olympic campaign, with upcoming matches against key rivals such as Finland and Sweden.

The takeaway

The Tkachuk brothers' performance in the opening Olympic match showcases the depth of talent on the U.S. hockey team, which could prove crucial as they aim to contend for a medal in the highly competitive international tournament.