MILAN — As the puck crossed the goal line, Dalibor Dvorský jumped into the glass just before his Slovakia teammates mobbed him. Because Slovakia had beaten Finland 4-1 earlier in the tournament, however, that goal gave Slovakia the goal differential tiebreak between them, Sweden and Finland atop Group B of the men’s hockey tournament. In that moment, it was the biggest loss in Slovak hockey history. They are a passionate hockey nation, but perpetually an international hockey underdog, something the entire country hopes Slafkovský might change. Everything has a first time.”If Slafkovský and Slovakia are able to keep this up, there may be more firsts in their near future.

Source: International New York Times February 14, 2026 18:03 UTC