canada hockey: Marner OT lifts Canada; Quinn Hughes gives U.S. narrow escape
Two of the tournament favourites were pushed to the brink in Wednesday’s men’s quarter-finals at the Winter Olympics. The United States edged Sweden in overtime on Quinn Hughes’s goal, while Canada rallied to beat the Czech Republic after Nick Suzuki forced extra time and Mitch Marner finished the job 1: 22 into the 3-on-3 period. The wins set up Friday’s semi-finals (ET), but Canada leaves Milan with a fresh injury concern to its captain.
U. S. survives Sweden on Quinn Hughes’s late heroics
The U. S. advanced with a 2-1 overtime victory over Sweden after a dramatic finish in regulation and a decisive strike in the extra session. Dylan Larkin gave the Americans a lead in the second period when he deflected a shot by Jack Hughes for the only goal in regulation. Sweden battled back late: Mika Zibanejad tied the game with 91 seconds remaining, converting a tense opportunity that looked like it might hand the favourites their exit.
Quinn Hughes answered in overtime, ending the match and sparing a star-studded U. S. roster from an upset. “Just relief, ” Hughes said after the game. The win sets the Americans up against Slovakia in one semi-final on Friday night (ET).
Canada rallies past Czechia but loses Sidney Crosby to injury
Canada’s path to the last four was even more fraught. The nation’s roster twice trailed the Czech Republic before Nick Suzuki redirected a Devon Toews point shot with 3: 27 left in regulation to force overtime. Macklin Celebrini and Nathan MacKinnon also scored for Canada, while Lukas Sedlak, David Pastrnak and Ondrej Palat supplied goals for the Czechs in a back-and-forth affair.
Mitch Marner ended it 1: 22 into the 3-on-3 overtime with a backhanded finish that sent Canada through 4-3. Coach Jon Cooper praised Marner’s consistency: “It’s the it-factor, man: Mitch Marner’s got it. He doesn’t disappoint. ” Defence stalwart Drew Doughty admitted the finish was nerve-racking but expressed confidence in the group’s resolve.
However, the victory came with a significant blow. Captain Sidney Crosby left the ice five minutes into the second period after his right leg buckled as he braced for contact involving Czech defender Radko Gudas. Crosby was helped off after a heavy hit that also involved Martin Necas. Team an update on Crosby’s condition would be provided on Thursday (ET). The loss of Crosby, even temporarily, complicates Canada’s preparations heading into a semi-final against Finland on Friday (ET).
Canada’s goaltender faced scrutiny but came up with a key stop late in regulation, denying Pastrnak on a breakaway with about 70 seconds remaining to preserve the tie and send the game to overtime. The goaltending, along with timely scoring, ultimately kept Canada’s Olympic ambitions alive for now.
Looking ahead: Friday’s semis (ET) and lingering questions
Friday’s schedule will feature Finland against Canada in one semi-final and the United States facing Slovakia in the other, both slated for prime-time viewing (ET). Finland reached the last four after rallying from 2-0 down to beat Switzerland in overtime, the game decided by Artturi Lehkonen’s breakaway finish.
Both North American teams will head into the semis with takeaways that temper confidence. The U. S. escaped a scare but twice gave up momentum late; Canada advanced but must assess Crosby’s status and manage goaltending scrutiny amid intense national expectations. With NHL players back in the Olympic fold for the first time since 2014, the knockout rounds are proving far less of a procession than many anticipated.
Friday’s semi-finals (ET) promise high stakes and lingering storylines: a recovering Crosby, Marner’s clutch scoring, and whether the U. S. can parlay late resilience into deeper momentum. Both teams will have little time to regroup before the medal-deciding matches.
