The atmosphere in Milan was electric on Day 6 of the 2026 Winter Olympics as the highly anticipated return of NHL players to the Olympic stage finally arrived. Team USA Men's Hockey kicked off their campaign in a gritty, high-octane battle against Latvia, marking a new era for American hockey. While the men battled on the ice, history was being written on the snow. Cross-country skiing legend Jessie Diggins captured a heroic bronze medal in the 10km freestyle, fighting through the agony of bruised ribs to secure her place in the record books. Meanwhile, in the Chloe Kim halfpipe final, the snowboarding superstar secured a silver medal in a stunning upset, adding another chapter to a day filled with triumph and heartbreak.

Team USA Men's Hockey Opens with Tense Battle Against Latvia

For the first time since 2014, NHL superstars donned the red, white, and blue, and the intensity was palpable from the opening faceoff. The Team USA Men's Hockey score remained deadlocked at 1-1 through the first half of the game, proving that the road to gold will be anything but easy. Brady Tkachuk opened the scoring for the Americans, burying a feed from his brother Matthew Tkachuk in a display of the grit and skill the roster boasts. However, Latvia responded quickly, with Renars Krastenbergs finding the back of the net to level the game.

Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was sharp early, turning aside several Latvian chances as the underdogs played with desperate energy. "It's a different game on the bigger ice, but we're here to work," Tkachuk said during the first intermission. With the Olympic hockey schedule 2026 packing games tightly, this opening test serves as a crucial wake-up call for a U.S. squad loaded with offensive talent like Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel. As the game pushed into the later stages, the Americans looked to break the tie and secure crucial points in the Group C standings.

Jessie Diggins Wins Historic Bronze Through Pain

In one of the most inspiring performances of the Games, Jessie Diggins claimed the bronze medal in the women's 10km freestyle. Competing with bruised ribs sustained earlier in the week, Diggins collapsed at the finish line after stopping the clock at 23:38.9. Her sheer will propelled her to the podium, finishing behind Sweden's Frida Karlsson (Gold) and Ebba Andersson (Silver).

"I just wanted to leave it all out there," an emotional Diggins shared after the race. This victory marks her fourth career Olympic medal, further cementing her legacy as America's most decorated cross-country skier. The image of Diggins lying in the snow, completely spent yet triumphant, epitomizes the Olympic spirit and adds a bright spot to the Milan-Cortina 2026 medal count for Team USA.

Chloe Kim Takes Silver in Stunning Halfpipe Upset

The Chloe Kim halfpipe final delivered one of the biggest shocks of the 2026 Games. After a dominant qualifying run of 90.25 that had her on track for a historic third consecutive gold, Kim finished with the silver medal. The gold went to South Korean phenom Gaon Choi, who threw down a spectacular 90.25 run in the final to unseat the defending champion.

Kim, who scored an 88.00, was gracious in defeat, hugging Choi in the finish area. "I did my best, and I'm proud of what I put down," Kim said. While the quest for a three-peat ended, Kim's performance remains a testament to her sustained dominance in the sport. The upset has reshuffled the snowboarding hierarchy and highlighted the rapid progression of the next generation of riders.

Milan-Cortina 2026 Medal Count Update

As Day 6 draws to a close, the medal standings are heating up. Norway continues to lead the pack, bolstered by their dominance in cross-country skiing. The United States holds firm in the top three, thanks to the heroics of Diggins and Kim. Italy, the host nation, is also enjoying a strong showing, delighting the home crowds.

Current Top Standings (Day 6)

  • Norway: Leading the gold rush, particularly in Nordic events.
  • Italy: capitalising on home-field advantage in alpine and sliding sports.
  • United States: consistently reaching the podium across multiple disciplines.

With NHL players in 2026 Olympics now fully in the mix and the alpine events accelerating, the leaderboard is expected to shift dramatically in the coming days.