Team Canada has clinched a spot in the semifinals at Milano Cortina 2026 and will take on Finland in the next round.
Canada narrowly defeated Czechia 4-3 in overtime on Wednesday to become the second team to advance to the medal round. Slovakia defeated Germany 6-2 earlier in the day to punch their ticket through.
Canada and Slovakia cannot meet in the semifinals, though, due to their seedings from the preliminary round. Canada finished as the top seed after the three-game group round, with Slovakia third behind Team USA.
Canada will face the lowest-remaining seed in the semis, which will be Finland, who completed a stunning comeback to defeat fifth-seeded Switzerland 3-2 in overtime in their quarter-final.
Sweden found a late equalizer in their game against the United States courtesy of Mika Zibanejad, but Quinn Hughes netted the winner in overtime to send the United States on to the semifinals with a 2-1 victory.
Canada defeated Finland in group play at the 4 Nations Face-Off last winter, but has not played them in Milano Cortina. Canada also defeated Team USA in the final of that event after falling to the Americans in the group round.
Canada will play for a medal for the first time since winning bronze at Pyeongchang 2018 but have sights set of their first gold since Sochi 2014, the last time NHL players took part. Canada also won the tournament on home soil at Vancouver 2010.
The United States will face Slovakia in the semifinals. Team USA has not won gold since Lake Placid 1980, taking silver in 2002 and 2010.
The Olympic semifinals will take place Friday, with the bronze-medal game set for Saturday and the gold-medal game scheduled for 8:10 a.m. ET/5:10 a.m. PT on Sunday.
