Gudas, Dostal & Clara: Ducks Players Shine at the 2026 Winter Olympics
The 2026 Winter Olympic Men’s hockey tournament has reached the knockout stage, and the Anaheim Ducks organization is well-represented. Three players – Radko Gudas, Lukas Dostal, and Damian Clara – have been in action, battling to keep their teams’ medal hopes alive.
Damian Clara: Italy’s Olympic Darling
Damian Clara has emerged as a breakout star for the host nation, Italy. Facing Switzerland in a crucial qualification matchup, Italy looked to continue their impressive run after challenging performances against Sweden and Slovakia. Despite a tough 3-0 loss to Switzerland, Clara delivered his best performance of the tournament, stopping an incredible 48 of 51 shots.
Clara’s performance was particularly impressive considering the constant pressure he faced, including numerous odd-man rushes. He demonstrated exceptional lateral movement and size, effectively shutting down scoring opportunities. While two goals came on the power play and another off a rebound, Clara largely neutralized a skilled Swiss attack. He finished the tournament with a .911 save percentage, solidifying his status as a key player for Italy.
Radko Gudas & Lukas Dostal: Czechia’s Quarterfinal Push
Radko Gudas and Lukas Dostal, representing Czechia, secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Denmark, earning them a quarterfinal matchup against Canada. While Czechia controlled possession for much of the game, Denmark made a late push, keeping the outcome in doubt.
Gudas had a slightly shaky game, uncharacteristic of his NHL performance this season. He made a couple of costly mistakes, including getting beaten on a rush after an offensive pinch and being drawn too high on the penalty kill, leading to a Danish goal. He finished with two penalty minutes in 16:16 of ice time.
Dostal, in his third start of the tournament, was solid in net, stopping 24 of 26 shots. He excelled at absorbing outside shots and deflecting rebounds, aiding his defensemen and limiting time in the defensive zone. Dostal is expected to start again in the quarterfinal against Canada.
Ducks Players in the Quarterfinals
All four Ducks players – Gudas, Dostal, Mikael Granlund, and Jackson LaCombe – will have their teams competing in the quarterfinals. However, LaCombe has been a healthy scratch for the US team throughout the preliminary round and is likely to remain sidelined.
Further Reading: For more in-depth coverage of the Winter Olympics, visit NBC Olympics.
