Jake Sanderson Shines as Team USA Dominates Latvia in Olympics

Defenseman contributes to 5-1 victory in Olympic opener at Milan Cortina Games

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The United States men's hockey team opened their Olympic campaign with a commanding 5-1 win against Latvia on Thursday at the Milan Cortina Games. Defenseman Jake Sanderson, a 23-year-old from Whitefish and member of the NHL's Ottawa Senators, contributed two shots on goal and maintained a neutral plus/minus rating while playing 16 minutes and 35 seconds.

Why it matters

Sanderson's strong performance in his second Olympic appearance highlights the depth and talent of the U.S. men's hockey team as they look to compete for a gold medal at the Milan Cortina Games.

The details

Matthew Tkatchuk led Team USA's offensive surge, tallying two goals and two assists, while Brock Nelson added a pair of goals. Jack Hughes played a pivotal role in creating scoring opportunities, assisting on three goals. Coach Mike Sullivan utilized all eight defensemen on the roster during the match, including Sanderson, demonstrating depth in Team USA's defensive lineup.

  • The United States men's hockey team opened their Olympic campaign on Thursday, February 13, 2026.
  • Team USA is set to face Denmark in their second preliminary round game on Saturday, February 15, 2026 at 1:10 p.m. Mountain time.
  • The tournament's playoff stage will commence next Tuesday, with the gold medal final scheduled for Sunday, February 22, 2026.

The players

Jake Sanderson

A 23-year-old defenseman from Whitefish, Montana, who plays for the NHL's Ottawa Senators and is competing in his second Winter Olympics for Team USA.

Matthew Tkatchuk

The leading scorer for Team USA, tallying two goals and two assists in the 5-1 win over Latvia.

Brock Nelson

A forward for Team USA who scored a pair of goals in the Olympic opener against Latvia.

Jack Hughes

A playmaking forward for Team USA who assisted on three goals in the win over Latvia.

Mike Sullivan

The head coach of the U.S. men's hockey team, who demonstrated the depth of his roster by utilizing all eight defensemen during the match against Latvia.

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What they’re saying

“Jake Sanderson played a solid game for us, contributing on both ends of the ice. His experience from the last Olympics is really showing, and we're counting on him to be a key part of our defensive corps throughout the tournament.”

— Mike Sullivan, Head Coach, U.S. Men's Hockey Team

What’s next

Following the victory over Latvia, Team USA is set to face Denmark in their second preliminary round game on Saturday, February 15, 2026 at 1:10 p.m. Mountain time.

The takeaway

Sanderson's strong performance in his second Olympic appearance, coupled with the offensive firepower and defensive depth displayed by Team USA, suggests the Americans are well-positioned to compete for a gold medal at the Milan Cortina Games.