Switzerland Stuns Czechia in Overtime Thriller at Milano Cortina 2026
Switzerland has delivered one of the most dramatic moments of the Olympic men’s hockey tournament and it came when the pressure was at its highest.
At the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, Switzerland edged Czechia 4–3 in overtime in a game that had everything — momentum swings, controversy and a season-defining goal. The hero was Dean Kukan, who stepped into a 2-on-1 rush and fired home the winner less than two minutes into overtime. That single shot not only secured victory, it locked Switzerland into second place in Group A.
This was the first overtime game of the tournament and it felt like playoff hockey. Switzerland had built a 3–2 lead in the third period, only to see Czechia pull their goalie and tie the game with just over two minutes left. The equalizer came from a one-timer that silenced the Swiss bench and shifted the emotional balance completely.
But Switzerland did not panic.
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They had already endured a heavy loss to Canada earlier in the group stage and this was their chance to respond. Roman Josi and Timo Meier both stepped up with a goal and an assist each, while goaltender Leonardo Genoni stood firm under pressure. When overtime began, the ice opened up and that is where Kukan made the difference.
For Czechia, it was a painful ending. Martin Necas was electric, contributing three points and the team thought they had taken control late in regulation. They even had a potential tying goal waved off earlier in the third due to interference. Small margins, big consequences.
This result matters because finishing second in the group changes the path in the qualification round. It shapes matchups, rest time and momentum heading into the knockout stage. In a short Olympic tournament, confidence can be just as important as talent.
There is also the emotional backdrop. Switzerland played without Kevin Fiala, who is out for the remainder of the Olympics after surgery. Losing a key forward could have fractured the team’s rhythm. Instead, it seems to have united them.
Now the preliminary round is over for both sides and the focus shifts to the elimination phase. The stakes will only get higher from here.
Stay with us for complete coverage of the Olympic men’s hockey tournament as the road to gold intensifies and every shift could decide a nation’s fate.
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