Team Canada Advances with Thrilling 4-3 Overtime Victory

At the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, Team Canada narrowly avoided what would have been one of the biggest upsets in Olympic men's hockey history. After a tense battle against Czechia, Canada secured a dramatic 4-3 victory in overtime to clinch a spot in the semifinals, joining Slovakia as one of the first two teams to advance from the quarterfinals.

Quarterfinal Outcomes

On a day filled with high stakes and intense competition, Wednesday's quarterfinals delivered a mix of nail-biting finishes and commanding performances. The results were as follows:

• Slovakia: 6, Germany: 2
• Canada: 4, Czechia: 3 (OT)
• Finland: 3, Switzerland: 2 (OT)

Later on Friday, the United States will face Sweden, rounding out the quarterfinals and setting the stage for an exhilarating semifinals lineup.

Canada vs. Czechia: An Overtime Thriller

The match against Czechia was fraught with challenges for Team Canada. After taking multiple hard hits, superstar Sidney Crosby exited the game in the second period due to an injury, leaving the team to rally without their captain. Czechia capitalized on this opportunity, taking a 3-2 lead late in the game. However, Canada’s resilience shone through when Nick Suzuki scored a crucial deflection goal that allowed the Canadians to tie the game and force overtime.

In the extra period, Mitch Marner emerged as the hero, netting the winning goal just 1:22 into OT. This thrilling finish ensured Canada advanced, although the team now awaits updates on Crosby’s condition before their upcoming semifinal matchup.

Slovakia’s Commanding Performance

Slovakia was another team to make waves in the quarterfinals, convincingly defeating Germany 6-2. The Slovak team initiated their assault with two quick goals within just 33 seconds in the second period, which proved to be pivotal in their victory. Goalkeeper Samuel Hlavaj showcased excellent form, making 25 saves on 27 shots. Meanwhile, San Jose Sharks winger Pavol Regenda stood out with two goals that will surely provide momentum as Slovakia transitions to the semifinals.

Adding to Slovakia’s excitement, Montreal Canadiens winger Juraj Slafkovsky continued to demonstrate his offensive prowess, tallying eight points (three goals and five assists) throughout the tournament, solidifying his position as one of the team’s key players.

Finland’s Dramatic Comeback

In yet another thrilling quarterfinal, Finland demonstrated the heart of defending champions by mounting an impressive comeback against Switzerland. After trailing 2-0 going into the final period, Finland found their scoring touch when Sebastian Aho netted a critical equalizer with just under seven minutes left in regulation.

Artturi Lehkonen would ultimately seal Finland's victory in overtime, scoring the game-winner. This goal further establishes Lehkonen’s reputation for clutch performances, notably his Stanley Cup-clinching goal for the Colorado Avalanche in 2022. With both Aho and Lehkonen tied as Finland’s leading scorers with three goals each, the team looks poised to continue making their mark in the tournament.

Looking Ahead to the Semifinals

The excitement builds as teams prepare for the semifinals on Friday. The matchups are as follows, with the brackets reseeded based on quarterfinal outcomes:

• Semifinal 1: 10:40 a.m. ET
• Semifinal 2: 3:10 p.m. ET

Additionally, the schedule includes crucial medal round games, with the bronze medal match slated for Saturday at 2:40 p.m. ET, followed by the gold medal showdown on Sunday at 8:10 a.m. ET.

Conclusion: A Path Toward Glory

As the tournament progresses, the stakes get higher, and the quality of play intensifies. Team Canada’s ability to bounce back from adversity in their quarterfinal match speaks volumes about their character and skill level. With potential challenges ahead, including determining the health of key player Sidney Crosby, Canada and their rivals like Slovakia and Finland will be looking to sharpen their strategies as they each seek Olympic glory. Fans around the world can expect thrilling hockey action as these elite teams vie for the chance to stand atop the podium.