canada hockey: Marner's overtime goal sends Canada into Olympic semifinals after Crosby exit
Canada survived a frenetic quarterfinal clash with Czechia, clinching a 4-3 overtime win on Mitch Marner's 3-on-3 goal 1: 22 into the extra period. The victory came after Nick Suzuki tied the game late in regulation and after Canada twice fell behind, but it was tempered by an injury to captain Sidney Crosby following a heavy second-period hit.
Marner ends it in 3-on-3 after late Suzuki equalizer
The game unfolded as an end-to-end battle marked by momentum swings. Canada trailed twice, but found a way back each time. Macklin Celebrini and Nathan MacKinnon opened the scoring for Canada, while Lukas Sedlák, David Pastrňák and Ondřej Palát answered for Czechia, keeping the contest on a knife edge.
With the clock winding down and Canada pushing for the equalizer, Nick Suzuki — who entered the tournament struggling to find his stride — sparked a crucial sequence. Instead of heading for a change when a bench opportunity appeared, Suzuki chased a puck, won the battle along the boards and worked it to the blue line. He hustled to the front of the net and redirected a shot home with 3: 27 left in regulation to force overtime.
In the extra session, the open ice of 3-on-3 favored creative skaters. Marner finished a sequence just 1: 22 into overtime, sneaking a decisive finish past the Czech netminder and sending Canada through to the semifinal round.
Crosby exits after hit; Binnington and defense face scrutiny
The win was overshadowed when captain Sidney Crosby did not return after a forceful hit from Czech defenseman Radko Gudas in the second period. Crosby left the ice and did not return for the remainder of the game, raising immediate questions about his availability for the semifinals. The hit drew attention for its impact on the lineup and on team morale.
Goaltender Jordan Binnington faced a tense night. After earlier signs of uncertainty in the tournament, he made a crucial stop on Martin Nečas on a breakaway with 1: 10 remaining in regulation, a save that kept Canada alive and preserved the chance for Suzuki's equalizer. Binnington also surrendered a few goals in the tournament’s earlier blowout, but in this compact, high-stakes contest he delivered when it mattered most.
Defensive rotations were notable throughout the match. One blueliner who had been absent through the tournament has been given a cautious reintroduction to team activity, and the coaching staff continued to lean on six to seven defensemen in varying combinations. That approach kept fresh legs on the ice but also created moments of adjustment as pairings shifted in-game.
What this means for Canada and the road ahead
Canada advances to the semifinal bracket, but the path forward remains fraught. The team must address player availability after Crosby's injury and manage ice time carefully to protect veteran bodies and integrate reinforcements if necessary. Depth scoring once again proved essential: contributions from younger players such as Celebrini, alongside established stars like MacKinnon and Marner, balanced the lineup when the game tightened.
Special teams and goaltending will continue to be focus points. Canada’s power play has shown flashes but has not been consistently dominant; the team will need sustained execution in tight playoff-style matchups. Binnington’s performance in high-leverage moments will also remain under watch as the tournament moves into knockout rounds.
Elsewhere on the tournament slate, Finland rallied from a late two-goal deficit to beat Switzerland in overtime on a breakaway goal, underscoring the parity and unpredictability that has defined this Olympic men’s hockey program. Canada now prepares for a semifinal matchup that will test both its depth and its ability to weather physical play while protecting key veterans.
Team management and medical staff will provide updates on Crosby’s status as the team turns its attention to recovery and game planning ahead of the semifinal. For now, Canada moves on, but the victory came at a tangible cost and leaves open questions about how the roster will be configured for the next critical game.
