For the first time since 2010, Team USA is headed to the Olympic gold-medal game.

The Americans punched their ticket with a 6–2 win over Slovakia on Friday night at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, setting up a marquee showdown against Canada in Sunday’s final. It is the biggest hockey rivalry on the sport’s biggest stage, a gold-medal matchup that had long been expected but never guaranteed.

The United States took control early. Just under four minutes into the game, defenseman Zach Werenski caught Slovakia during a line change and sprung Dylan Larkin through the neutral zone. Larkin blasted a shot from the left faceoff circle past goaltender Samuel Hlavaj to open the scoring. Late in the first period, Tage Thompson doubled the lead with a one-timer on the power play.

After a scoreless stretch into the second period, the Americans blew the game open. Jack Hughes and Jack Eichel scored 19 seconds apart, and Hughes added his second goal shortly after to make it 5–0. From there, the focus shifted to managing the game and staying healthy with the gold-medal matchup looming.

In net, Connor Hellebuyck delivered another steady performance, stopping 22 shots. Slovakia broke through twice in the third period, including a goal by Juraj Slafkovský, but the result was never in doubt. Through five games, the Americans have allowed just eight goals, underscoring their dominance throughout the tournament.

Sunday’s final carries added weight. The United States last reached the gold-medal game in 2010, falling to Canada in Vancouver, and also lost to its rival in the 2002 final. Now, Team USA will have another shot at ending a long wait for men’s hockey gold, seeking its first Olympic title since the iconic 1980 “Miracle on Ice.”