Day Two of the Olympic Games was another successful start for the Colorado Avalanche players. Colorado had five players play in two games throughout the day.

Team Canada battled Team Czechia, where we saw Nathan MacKinnon, Devon Toews, Cale Makar and Martin Necas grind it out. Later in the afternoon, Team USA took on Team Latvia, where Brock Nelson suited up for the Americans.

Team Canada vs. Team Czechia

It was a great way to start a Thursday morning. This was one game fans were looking forward to, with Team Canada’s roster built completely of NHL players. Czechia battled hard during the initial period, matching Canada’s pace. MacKinnon scored, though officials disallowed it because of a prior tripping penalty. With only six seconds left in the first, Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks redirected a shot from Makar for the first goal.

In the second period, Mark Stone and Bo Horvat would add to Canada’s lead. In the third period, Connor McDavid set MacKinnon up for a gorgeous tap-in goal on the power play to make it 4–0. Nick Suzuki redirected the last goal past Lukas Dostal with a little over eight minutes left.

Team USA vs. Team Latvia

Brock Nelson was the only Avalanche representative in this game. It was a frustrating first period for the Avs’ center. After Brady Tkachuk ripped a goal from the slot, Nelson would have a goal reversed because of goaltender interference. On top of that, Nelson hit a post. But the Americans came into the intermission with a tied game.

Halfway through the second, Nelson found redemption. He powered his way down the slot, taking a pass from Jack Hughes. Nelson finished with a backhand shot to take a 2–1 lead. USA would get a power play opportunity with just under three minutes left in the second. Jack Eichel found Tage Thompson in front for a nasty backhand shot to put the Americans up by two. USA came in on the odd-man rush and quickly passed around the zone to get Nelson his second goal of the period with 12 seconds left.

The Americans used their momentum to head into the third period. Starting on the power play, Eichel found Auston Matthews right in front of the net to gain a 5–1 lead. The Americans racked up the shot count, outshooting the Latvians 37–17 in a dominating effort.

Up Next

Fans will get an early start at 8 a.m. MT for Team Sweden vs. Team Finland. Gabriel Landeskog will try to beat his teammates Joel Kiviranta and Artturi Lehkonen. At 12:30 p.m. MT, Team Czechia and Martin Necas will hope for an easy win over Team France. To wrap up the day, Team Canada takes on Team Switzerland at 5 p.m. MT.