2026 Winter Olympics Daily: Feb. 18
It’s quarterfinal day at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina!
Day 6 results (Feb. 17):
Germany 5-1 France
Switzerland 3-0 Italy
Czechia 3-2 Denmark
Sweden 5-1 Latvia
About yesterday:
Unsurprisingly, former Prince Albert Raiders and Kelowna Rockets star Leon Draisaitl (EDM) lifted Germany into the quarterfinals after he had three points (1G/2A) in a 5-1 win over France. Ex Owen Sound Attack forward Joshua Samanski (EDM) chipped in a goal and an assist while Tobias Reider, formerly of the Kitchener Rangers, added an assist. Philipp Grubauer (SEA), who suited up for Belleville, Windsor and Kingston during his OHL career, turned aside 30 saves. It marks the second time in three Olympics that Germany have now reached the quarterfinals.
QMJHL alumni was all over Switzerland’s 3-0 win over Italy as they reached the quarters for the second straight year and only third time since 1992. Former Halifax Moosheads star Nico Hischier (NJ) registered three points (1G/2A) while Quebec Remparts alum Philipp Kurashev (SJ) scored his first goal of the tournament. Halifax and Rouyn-Noranda alumnus Timo Meier (NJ) added two helpers while Sven Andrighetto also had an assist.
Former Saginaw Spirit d-man Filip Hronek (VAN) registered his fourth assist of the Olympics as Czechia nudged past Denmark 3-2 to reach the last eight. Former Seattle Thunderbird Alexander True scored his first goal of the tournament in defeat for Denmark while ex-Portland Winterhawk Joachim Blichfeld had two assists. With the win, Czechia have now reached the quarterfinals in eight of nine appearances at the Olympics.
Sweden were the final team to secure its berth in the final eight after a 5-1 victory against Latvia. Former Kitchener Rangers captain Gabriel Landeskog (COL) scored his second goal of the tournament in the win and also netted an assist.
Day 7 schedule (Feb. 18):
Germany vs. Slovakia – 6:10am ET / 3:10am PT
Canada vs. Czechia – 10:40am ET / 7:40am PT
Finland vs. Switzerland – 12:10pm ET / 9:10am PT
USA vs. Sweden – 3:10pm ET / 12:10pm PT
The day ahead:
Germany will look to play for a medal for the second time in three years when they face Slovakia. Germany – who won silver in 2018 – are after a fourth Olympic medal after a bronze in 1976 and 1932. As for Slovakia, they advanced straight to the quarterfinals after they topped Group A with two wins from three. The Slovaks will look to play for a medal for the second straight year after they claimed bronze in 2022. This is the fifth time in Olympic history Slovakia have reached the quarterfinals.
Canada rolled into the quarterfinals as the tournament’s no. 1 seed after a 3-0-0 round-robin. The nine-time gold medallists are chasing a first gold medal since 2014 – the last time NHL players played at the tournament before the 2026 edition. They will face a Czechia side that they defeated 5-0 in their tournament opener on Feb. 12. The Czechs – who won gold in 1998 – return to the quarters after missing out in 2022.
Defending champions Finland reached the quarterfinals directly as the best second place team in the round-robin and in the process, kept their perfect quarterfinal appearance record in check as this marks 19 straight showings in the final eight. A win today would mean Finland have reached the semi-finals at the Winter Olympics in four of the last five tournaments. As for Switzerland, they are into the quarters for the fifth time in the last six tournaments but haven’t reached the semis since they won bronze in 1948.
The final quarterfinal of the day will see the USA face Sweden. The Americans, like Canada, went 3-0-0 in the round-robin after wins against Germany, Denmark and Latvia. Two-time gold medallists (1960/1980), the USA are looking to reach the semis for the first time since 2014. As for Sweden, they were part of the three-way tie for top spot in Group A but comfortably took care of Latvia in their qualification playoff to advance to the quarters. Fourth place finishers in 2022, Sweden won gold in 1994 and 2006.
