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Slovak players criticize Tkachuk brothers after late USA-Slovakia semifinal incident


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Charlie McAfee
February 23, 2026  (6:30 PM)
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Brady Tkachuk and Matthew Tkachuk of the United States celebrate after winning the men's ice hockey gold medal game during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
Photo credit: James Lang-Imagn Images

A group of current and former Slovakian players criticized the Tkachuk Brothers for their playing style and didn't hold back in their distaste for the American side.

As Team USA skated away with gold, it left a bitter taste in the mouths of Canadians as they were so close yet couldn't find their way back to another comeback in and may have cost Sidney Crosby his last chance at Olympic gold.
But not only that, but the American side has decided to rub salt into the wounds with their recent comments, and their brash, aggressive, and sometimes dirty way they play the game often rubs people the wrong way.

Slovakia absolutely furious with Team USA

It certainly upset a group of Slovakian players both old and new, as they held nothing back in their criticisms of the US style of hockey -- if you can call it that.
Team Slovakia defenceman Martin Fehervary stated there was nothing shocking about what Matthew Tkachuk did when he got caught up with forward Erik Cernak, hitting a cheap shot in the process:
Nobody was surprised by what Tkachuk did. Everyone knows what they are.

Then it was Marian Gaborik, arguably one of the greatest Slovak players of all time chiming in, and he was incensed with Team USA and had some harsh words about their style:
You can't lose your nerve against them. That's just the way they are. They behave like rats.

Finally, Team Slovakia forward Oliver Okuliar was the harshest, and directed his fury at the Tkachuk Brothers with some pointed comments:
They're scumbags, both of them. They're not even good hockey players, they just do this s***; that's exactly their style.

(All quotes translated from Slovak)
Harsh words from the Slovakian contingent, and this latest tournament did the Tkachuk Brothers no favours when it came to their reputation.
But for now, they hold bragging rights regardless of how they came about their gold medal victory.
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Slovak players criticize Tkachuk brothers after late USA-Slovakia semifinal incident

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