Overtime thrillers headline 7th day of men's hockey at the Olympics

MILAN, Italy — The quarterfinals for men's ice hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics treated fans with three overtime games that were full of heart-pounding action.

The United States and Canada are still on a collision course to potentially meet in the gold medal match after escaping Sweden and Czechia in their quarterfinal matchups.

Both the US and Sweden played some of their best hockey of the entire tournament with each team's goaltender making things tough for the other team.

Connor Hellebuyck was near spotless in the 2-1 overtime win for Team USA. New Jersey Devils netminder Jacob Markstrom played an incredible game despite the loss after he stopped 38 of the 40 shots he saw.

After Dylan Larkin ended the game's scoring drought in the second period, it looked like it would be enough for the US to advance. Sweden finally was able to get a shot past Hellebuyck as they tied the game with just under two minutes to go with an extra skater on the ice.

It was Mika Zibanejad who gave life to Sweden with the late goal after Lucas Raymond found him across the ice for the one-timer.

However, Quinn Hughes would get his first Olympic goal of his career as his wrist shot got past Markstrom to send the US to the semifinals.

Earlier in the day, Mitch Marner was the hero for Canada as he sank the game-winning goal in overtime to help push Canada over Czechia in what was the first of the three overtime finishes.

Down 3-2 with just under five minutes left in regulation, Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki tipped a shot from Devon Toews that found its way past Leo Dostal and into the net to tie the game late.

Czechia looked like they were poised for one of the biggest hockey upsets in Olympic history after Ondrej Palat gave them the lead in the third period. After being shutout 5-0 in the opener against Canada, Czechia brought much more physicality to their second matchup.

Macklin Celebrini opened the scoring in the game for Canada but two first period goals from Czechia made things a little tense for Canada as they entered the first intermission.

Shortly after Sidney Crosby exited the game and headed back to Canada's locker room, Nathan MacKinnon would tie things up with a power play goal of his own.

Martin Necas gave Czechia one last chance to win the game in regulation after he had a one-on-one opportunity with Canada goaltender Jordan Binnington.

With time winding down in the contest, Binnington turned away the shot from Necas and prevented Czechia from retaking the lead in the final seconds.

Just over a minute into the ten-minute and 3-on-3 overtime period, Marner would get his shot past Dostal with three Czech skaters surrounding him and punch Canada's ticket to the semifinals.

Slovakia was the first team of the day to clinch a spot in the next round after a 6-3 drubbing of Germany. J.J. Peterka was held scoreless for the first time in these Olympic games.

Pavol Regenda led Slovakia with two goals and an assist to give him a three-point performance. Four other Slovakian skaters recorded a goal in the win.

Finland clinched their spot in the next round after they scored three unanswered goals to claim the victory over Switzerland.

Finland finally got on the board in the third period with Sebastian Aho's third goal of the Olympics before Miro Heiskanen tied the game late.

Arturi Lehkonen netted the game-winning goal in overtime for Finland on a breakaway after Switzerland blew a 2-0 lead in the final six minutes of regulation.

With the win, Mammoth defenseman Olli Maatta and Finland would move on to the semifinals where he would later be joined by teammate Clayton Keller and the US.

The semifinals are scheduled for Friday.

• Finland vs. Canada at 8:40 a.m. MST
• Slovakia vs. USA at 1:10 p.m. MST

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