Mitch Marner’s OT Magic Sends Canada to Olympic Hockey Semis
Canada pulled off a heart-stopping comeback against Czechia, punching their ticket to the men’s hockey semifinals at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. It was a game that had fans on the edge of their seats, with momentum swinging back and forth and it all came down to one decisive moment in overtime.
Trailing late in the third period, Canada looked vulnerable. Czechia had a 3-2 lead with under eight minutes left and the possibility of one of the biggest upsets in Olympic hockey was looming. But Canada’s resilience showed. Nick Suzuki tied it with just over three minutes remaining, redirecting a point shot past the Czech goaltender and forcing extra time.
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In the sudden-death overtime, Mitch Marner emerged as the hero. With open ice ahead and Czech defenders focused on teammate Nathan MacKinnon, Marner accelerated, split through the defense and fired a backhand shot that beat Lukas Dostal. The arena erupted as Canada secured a 4-3 victory, cementing Marner’s reputation as a clutch performer on the Olympic stage. This was not his first overtime heroics either—he scored the OT winner against Sweden in last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off.
The game showcased Canada’s depth and leadership. Macklin Celebrini scored and added two assists, Nathan MacKinnon contributed a crucial goal and Connor McDavid set up two plays, tying the Olympic record for points by an NHL player. Goaltender Jordan Binnington was steady under pressure, making key saves that kept Canada in contention, especially in the final tense minutes of regulation.
The win also came with challenges. Captain Sidney Crosby exited in the second period with a lower-body injury and Canada had to weather the game without their seasoned leader. Despite that, the team stayed composed, relying on a mix of veteran experience and youthful energy. Head coach Jon Cooper highlighted the team’s ability to stay “comfortable being uncomfortable,” a mindset that proved essential in overcoming the late deficits.
This victory guarantees Canada a spot in the semifinals and keeps their gold medal hopes alive. They will now face Finland and the stakes could not be higher. For Czechia, it was a valiant effort that fell just short, but the performance will be remembered as one of the toughest challenges Canada has faced in this tournament.
The implications are clear: Canada remains a dominant force in men’s Olympic hockey, capable of responding under pressure and producing clutch performances when it matters most. Every game from here is critical and every play could define the path to the podium. Stay with us as we continue to track this thrilling journey through the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics and watch how Canada navigates the road to gold.
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