Canada Survives OT Thriller, Advances to Olympic Hockey Semifinals
Canada has done it again, but it wasn’t easy. In a nail-biting quarterfinal showdown at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Team Canada edged past Czechia 4-3 in overtime, securing their spot in the semifinals. It was a game that had fans on the edge of their seats from the opening faceoff to the sudden-death finish.
Canada, entering as the top seed after a flawless group stage, faced a determined Czech team that wasn’t ready to bow out quietly. The game swung back and forth, with both sides exchanging leads and testing the goaltenders under intense pressure. Canada’s offensive stars, led by Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon, delivered key plays, but the difference came in overtime when Mitch Marner finally found the back of the net, sending the Canadians through to the medal round.
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Earlier in the day, Slovakia dominated Germany 6-2, punching their own ticket to the semifinals. Due to tournament seeding, Canada and Slovakia won’t meet in the semis, setting the stage for Canada to face either Finland, Switzerland, or an upset-minded Sweden. Fourth-seeded Finland was battling fifth-seeded Switzerland, while seventh-seeded Sweden had a tough challenge against the United States. Whichever team emerges from that side of the bracket will be Canada’s next opponent, a matchup that promises another high-stakes clash.
This victory is particularly significant for Canada, as it marks their return to Olympic medal contention for the first time since winning bronze at Pyeongchang 2018. The stakes are high: a gold medal would be Canada’s first since Sochi 2014, when NHL players last participated in the Olympics. For players like McDavid, Binnington and Marner, this is a chance to cement their legacy on the world stage, blending individual talent with national pride.
What makes this moment compelling is not just the win, but the way Canada handled adversity. From tight defensive plays to clutch scoring under pressure, the team showed resilience and depth. Meanwhile, the tournament itself has provided some surprises—teams like Switzerland and Sweden have shown they can challenge the traditional powerhouses, making every quarterfinal and semifinal matchup unpredictable.
Looking ahead, fans can expect a thrilling semifinal round Friday, followed by the bronze-medal game on Saturday and the gold-medal game on Sunday. Every shot, save and goal matters as teams vie for Olympic glory and Canada is now positioned to make a serious run for the top prize.
Stay tuned and keep watching as the Milano Cortina 2026 men’s hockey tournament continues to unfold. Every game brings new drama and you won’t want to miss how this Olympic story concludes.
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