Canada Advances to Semifinals After Thrilling Overtime Win Against Czechia
Team Canada is one step closer to reaching the podium at the Milano Cortina 2026 men’s hockey tournament. The Canadians secured a hard-fought 4-3 overtime victory against Czechia in the quarterfinal round at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, showcasing their resilience and determination.
As the top-ranked team from the preliminary round, Canada will now face the lowest remaining seed in Friday’s semifinals. The game was a testament to Canada’s depth, with key contributions from several players.
Key Performances & Record-Breaking Moments
Mitch Marner scored the decisive overtime winner, adding another chapter to his impressive international career. Macklin Celebrini, Nathan MacKinnon, and Nick Suzuki also found the back of the net during regulation time. Connor McDavid delivered a stellar performance with two assists, tying the record for most points in an Olympic Games with National Hockey League players – a remarkable achievement!
Goaltender Jordan Binnington earned the win, providing a solid defensive presence for Team Canada. This victory builds on Canada’s strong start to the tournament, which began with a dominant 5-0 win over Czechia.
A Challenging Path to Victory
The road to the semifinals wasn’t easy. Canada trailed twice in the game, including a late scare with under four minutes remaining in regulation. Suzuki’s clutch goal at 3:27 tied the game and sent it into overtime.
“I said it earlier, the group is super comfortable being uncomfortable, and that’s what it is,” Canada head coach Jon Cooper commented. “It was calm. Everybody had complete faith in whoever was going over the boards. It just felt like it was a matter of time. It was going to happen.”
Game Highlights
- Celebrini opened the scoring early in the first period, assisted by McDavid.
- Czechia responded with goals from Roman Cervenka and David Pastrnak.
- MacKinnon tied the game with a power-play goal in the second period.
- Suzuki’s late goal forced overtime.
- Marner sealed the victory with a stunning backhand goal just 1:22 into overtime.
Looking Ahead
This is Canada’s first trip to the semifinals of the men’s Olympic hockey tournament since PyeongChang 2018. They are now guaranteed to be playing for a medal at Milano Cortina 2026. The bronze medal game is scheduled for Saturday at 2:40 p.m. ET, and the gold medal match will be held on Sunday at 8:10 a.m. ET.
Coach Cooper emphasized the competitive nature of the tournament: “This is what the great thing is about this tournament. This is the Olympic Games. This is the best of the best… You’ve got to work to that, and the guys in there know it.”
Related Reads:
- Macklin Celebrini’s Olympic Debut – Olympics.com
- Mitch Marner’s Olympic Journey – Olympics.com
- Nathan MacKinnon’s Olympic Performance – Olympics.com
Jamie Tozer, February 19, 2026
John Korobanik, February 19, 2026
John Korobanik, February 19, 2026
