Team Canada enters the medal round of the men's ice hockey tournament at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics as the clear favorite, carrying the weight of national expectation and a roster stacked with NHL superstars. After a gritty 4-3 overtime victory over Czechia in the quarterfinals on February 18, the Canadians demonstrated resilience, depth, and the kind of clutch character that has defined their Olympic success for decades.
The win wasn't without cost: Captain Sidney Crosby—the two-time Olympic gold medalist and eternal "Captain Canada"—exited early in the second period with a lower-body injury after absorbing heavy hits.
While he rallied the team from the locker room ("Go get them, boys"), his status remains uncertain heading forward, with imaging pending and no firm timeline for return. Coach Jon Cooper sounded cautiously optimistic post-game, but the absence of Crosby's leadership and elite playmaking is a notable blow to a team already tested by tight margins.
Yet, Canada's response in that quarterfinal spoke volumes. They rallied from deficits, forced overtime, and sealed it on a dramatic winner from Mitch Marner—proof that this squad has layers of talent ready to step up. The defense has been stout, the goaltending solid, and the forward group explosive, featuring names like Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and a rising wave of young stars.
Honorable mention—and perhaps more than that—goes to Macklin Celebrini, the 19-year-old phenom who continues to steal headlines in his Olympic debut. The No. 1 overall pick from the 2024 NHL Draft and recent Hobey Baker winner tallied his fifth goal of the Games (already leading the tournament) and added two assists in the quarterfinal, including the primary setup on the OT heroics.
Celebrini has looked every bit the franchise-altering talent, blending elite skill, hockey IQ, and fearlessness against seasoned international competition. At this pace, he's not just a bright spot—he's emerging as a difference-maker on the biggest stage, drawing early comparisons to the greats who once carried Canada's hopes.
Looking ahead, the path to gold gets more difficult:
Semifinal: Canada vs. Finland – Friday, February 20, 2026, at 16:40 CET (that's 10:40 a.m. ET / 7:40 a.m. PT). This matchup at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena pits Canada's star power against Finland's disciplined, structured style and goaltending prowess. The Finns advanced with a 3-2 OT win over Switzerland, so expect a tight, tactical battle—Canada's speed and skill should give them the edge, but Finland has upset potential if they stifle the rush.
Bronze Medal Game (if necessary): Saturday, February 21, 2026, around 20:40 CET (2:40 p.m. ET or similar, depending on pairings).
Gold Medal Game: Sunday, February 22, 2026, at approximately 20:10-21:10 CET window (often around 8:10-9:10 a.m. ET for North American viewers).
The other semifinal pits the United States against Slovakia—also on February 20 at 21:10 CET (3:10 p.m. ET)—setting up potential dream finals like a Canada-USA rematch or a Canada-Finland clash echoing past rivalries.
Canada remains the team to beat: Loaded with experience, buoyed by youth like Celebrini, and fueled by that unmistakable red-and-white urgency. If they navigate Finland and stay healthy, a return to the podium's top step feels not just possible, but probable. The hockey world will be watching closely—especially to see if Crosby can recover in time, and if Celebrini keeps authoring his legend. Go Canada Go.
A Businesslike Step Toward the Real Test
Canada enters the France game with one job: handle their business and move on. No drama, no surprises. On paper, this is the softest landing spot of the tournament—a roster stacked with NHL pedigree against a French side still building its international footprint. It’s the kind of matchup where the scoreline matters less than the habits.
Expect Canada to dictate pace early, roll four lines, and get their special teams reps without burning unnecessary energy. These are the games where structure gets sharpened, chemistry gets tuned, and coaches quietly evaluate who’s ready for heavier minutes when the real gauntlet begins.
France will work, they always do, but this is a talent gulf. Canada’s depth alone should tilt the ice for sixty minutes. The key is staying healthy, staying disciplined, and keeping the engine humming for the tougher opponents waiting down the bracket.
A blowout won’t impress anyone back home—it’ll simply confirm what everyone already knows. Canada’s gold chase doesn’t hinge on France. But how they handle this game will say something about their readiness for the ones that actually define a tournament.
Businesslike. Efficient. On to the next.
Canada - Czechia - Feb 12, 2026 | NHL.com
Canada - Switzerland - Feb 13, 2026 | NHL.com
