Canada Survives Overtime Thriller Against Czechia in Olympic Hockey Quarterfinal

Milan, Italy – In a captivating quarterfinal clash at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Canada emerged victorious over Czechia with a 3-3 overtime win, secured by a goal from Mitch Marner just 1:22 into the 3-on-3 extra period. The game, played on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, was a back-and-forth affair that saw Canada overcome an injury to captain Sidney Crosby and a determined Czechia side.

Game Recap

Macklin Celebrini opened the scoring for Canada early in the first period, but Lukas Sedlak quickly responded for Czechia. David Pastrnak then capitalized on a power play to give Czechia the lead. Nathan MacKinnon leveled the score midway through the second period, also on a power play. Ondrej Palat put Czechia ahead again late in the third period, but Nick Suzuki dramatically tied the game with just 3:27 remaining, forcing overtime.

Crosby Injury

A significant blow to Canada came in the second period when captain Sidney Crosby sustained an injury after a hit from Radko Gudas and did not return to the game. The extent of Crosby’s injury is currently unknown.

Marner Seals the Victory

The overtime period was short-lived, as Mitch Marner scored the game-winning goal for Canada, sending them through to the semifinals. Jordan Binnington played a crucial role in the win, making several key saves late in the game.

What’s Next?

Canada will now advance to the semifinals, where they will face the lowest-seeded team remaining. Czechia, with a strong performance despite the loss, will face the highest-remaining seed in the semifinals.

Key Takeaways

• Canada avoided a major upset against a resilient Czechia team.
• Mitch Marner’s overtime goal proved to be the difference.
• Canada captain Sidney Crosby suffered an injury during the game.
• Jordan Binnington’s late-game saves were vital for Canada.

Source: The Athletic, Sporting News, CNN