Team USA men's hockey goes undefeated in Group C, earns bye into next Olympic round after win over Germany

CNN host Audie Cornish and New York Magazine's Will Leitch suggested during a recent podcast that the U.S. could become the "global villain" of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Team USA did what it was expected to do in the group stage in men’s ice hockey, defeating Germany, 5-1, to go undefeated in the preliminary round games at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games on Sunday.

Auston Matthews scored two goals for the Stars and Stripes, while Tage Thompson, Zach Werenski, and Brock Faber each found the back of the net in Team USA’s third victory in Milan.

After wins in their first two games — 5-1 victory over Latvia, followed by a 6-3 finish against Denmark on Saturday — Team USA has a bye heading into the quarterfinals, which begin on Wednesday.

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United States' Tage Thompson, second right, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's fourth goal during a preliminary round game of men's ice hockey between the United States and Germany at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Canada and Slovakia have also earned byes after winning Group A and B, respectively.

While it was expected Team USA would handle the three underdogs in their group in Milan, it wasn’t easy throughout the 60 minutes, including against Germany on Sunday.

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Despite Team USA getting shots on Maximilian Franzreb early in this contest, Germany was playing very physical and getting Grade-A chances on the other side of the ice against U.S. net minder Connor Hellebuyck.

But it was Werenski finding the back of the net first in this game with only nine