canada hockey: Canada and USA survive late scares to reach Olympic semi-finals
With NHL players back in the Olympic fold, expectations were for dominant displays from North America’s heavyweights. Instead both teams were pushed to the brink on Wednesday before escaping with overtime victories to reach Friday’s semifinals (ET).
Quinn Hughes lifts the United States past Sweden in overtime
The U. S. barely avoided a shock, edging Sweden 2-1 when Quinn Hughes converted in overtime after a frantic finish to regulation. The Americans had led 1-0 on a Dylan Larkin deflection off a Jack Hughes shot, only to see Mika Zibanejad tie the game with 91 seconds left in the third period.
Hughes — who conceded the late equalizer before delivering the winner — described his emotions simply: "Just relief. " The victory sets up a semifinal meeting with Slovakia on Friday night (ET).
The match highlighted how thin the margin is between favorite status and early elimination in a one-and-done Olympic knockout format. Sweden generated pressure late and forced the U. S. into desperate defensive minutes before the breakthrough came in sudden-death play, where space opens up and elite skaters can decide the outcome in moments.
Canada survives a roller-coaster quarter-final but loses Sidney Crosby to injury
Canada’s path was even more turbulent. The defending powerhouse trailed twice against the Czech Republic but rallied to a 4-3 overtime win after Nick Suzuki threaded a late tying deflection with 3: 27 remaining in regulation and Mitch Marner finished the job 1: 22 into the 3-on-3 period.
The comeback was sparked by goals from Macklin Celebrini and Nathan MacKinnon, while the Czech response included tallies from Lukas Sedlák, David Pastrňák and Ondřej Palát. With 7: 42 left, Palát’s goal ignited a wild celebration from the Czech bench, but Canada’s late push overturned that momentum.
Goaltender Jordan Binnington delivered a crucial stop late in regulation, denying Pastrňák on a breakaway with about 70 seconds to play and forcing overtime. Marner’s backhanded finish then sent Canada through to a semifinal against Finland on Friday (ET).
But the win came with a sharp cost. Canada lost captain Sidney Crosby early in the second period when his right leg buckled as he braced for contact and he was subsequently driven into the boards in a hard sequence. Crosby left the ice and did not return. The team is expected to provide an update on his condition the following day.
Defenseman Drew Doughty acknowledged the tension as the game slipped away and then swung back: "I never had a doubt, but it was getting a little nerve-racking. " Coach Jon Cooper praised Marner’s knack for clutch moments: "It’s the it-factor, man: Mitch Marner’s got it. He doesn’t disappoint. "
Both games underlined how the return of NHL talent has raised stakes and intensity. Star names can still tilt outcomes, but tournament pressure and single-elimination drama mean that even the most-favored teams must navigate adversity to keep gold-medal hopes alive. The semifinals on Friday (ET) will pair the U. S. with Slovakia and Canada with Finland, each match carrying the sudden-death weight of Olympic medal aspirations.
