canada hockey: Canada survives Czechia in OT as U.S. edges Sweden in quarter-final scares
Both heavy favourites in men’s ice hockey delivered narrow escapes on Wednesday as the field narrowed toward the Olympic semifinals. The United States scraped past Sweden in overtime, while Canada rallied late and prevailed in extra time against the Czech Republic, though the Canadians lost captain Sidney Crosby to injury.
United States clings on after late drama
The U. S. advanced to the semifinals after Quinn Hughes netted an overtime winner, completing a tense 2-1 victory over Sweden. The Americans had fallen behind late when Mika Zibanejad tied the score with 91 seconds remaining in the third period, but Dylan Larkin’s deflection of Jack Hughes’ shot earlier in the game had given the U. S. a lead in regulation.
Quinn Hughes, who conceded the late equalizer before delivering the decisive strike, summed up the mood succinctly: "Just relief. " The win sets up a Friday night semifinal (ET) for the U. S. against Slovakia, a matchup that will test whether the Americans can shake off Wednesday’s anxiety or remain vulnerable against a disciplined opponent.
Canada survives a roller-coaster game; Crosby exits with leg injury
Canada avoided a stunning elimination with a 4-3 overtime victory, capped by Mitch Marner’s backhander 1: 22 into 3-on-3 play. The game swung repeatedly: Lukas Sedlak, David Pastrnak and Ondrej Palat scored for the Czech Republic, while Macklin Celebrini and Nathan MacKinnon also found the net for Canada. Nick Suzuki’s deflected tally with 3: 27 left forced overtime after Canada trailed late.
Jordan Binnington provided a critical stop to keep Canada alive, denying David Pastrnak on a breakaway with just 70 seconds remaining in regulation. That save extended the game and allowed Marner to end it in sudden death; coach Jon Cooper praised Marner’s ability to deliver in clutch moments, saying, "It’s the it-factor, man: Mitch Marner’s got it. He doesn’t disappoint. "
But the victory came at a cost. Five minutes into the second period, captain Sidney Crosby’s right leg appeared to buckle as he braced for contact and he was subsequently hit into the boards. Crosby left the ice and did not return. Team management indicated an update on Crosby’s status will come on Thursday (ET). The loss of Crosby injects uncertainty into Canada’s preparations ahead of their Friday (ET) semifinal against Finland.
Outlook and quick takeaways
Wednesday’s results underscore that star power does not guarantee smooth progress at these Games. Both North American giants needed late heroics to survive; the U. S. will aim to regroup for a Friday night semifinal (ET) against Slovakia, while Canada must balance celebration with concern after Crosby’s injury.
Key developments to monitor: an official health update on Crosby on Thursday (ET); whether Binnington can consolidate confidence after his critical saves; and how both teams handle tactical adjustments ahead of semifinals set for Friday (ET). The tight scores are a reminder that depth, goaltending and timely contributions from secondary scorers will determine who reaches the medal round.
As the tournament moves into the penultimate weekend, the narrow margins in these quarter-finals have left momentum and morale hanging in the balance for every top contender.
