2026 Winter Olympics Daily: Feb. 19
The semi-finalists for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina were confirmed Wednesday after a scintillating quartet of games.
Day 7 results (Feb. 18):
Slovakia 6-2 Germany
Canada 4-3 Czechia (OT)
Finland 3-2 Switzerland (OT)
USA 2-1 Sweden (OT)
About yesterday:
Slovakia advanced to the semi-finals of the Olympics for third time in history after a 6-2 win over Germany. Former Sudbury Wolves star Dalibor Dvorsky (STL) had a goal and an assist and with his six points (3G/3A) in the tournament, now owns the most points at a single Olympics for a rookie NHL player. Erie alumnus Erik Cernak (TB) and Sarnia/Sudbury alumnus Adam Ruzicka each recorded an assist while former Sherbrooke goaltender Samuel Hlavaj continued his impressive tournament as he turned away 25 shots. Slovakia will now seek its second Olympic medal after they won bronze in 2022. They also reached the semis in 2010 where they wound up fourth.
Canada survived its biggest test of the tournament thus far as former London Knights captain Mitch Marner (VGK) scored the overtime winner at 1:22 in a 4-3 win over Czechia. Former Owen Sound and Guelph forward Nick Suzuki (MTL) had forced overtime after he tied the game with 3:27 to play after Drummondville alumnus Ondrej Palat (NYI) had given Czechia a 3-2 lead with 7:32 to play in regulation. Halifax’s Nathan MacKinnon (COL) also scored while Erie’s Connor McDavid (EDM) tallied two more assists to take his tournament point total to 11 games, tied for the most ever by an NHL player at a single Olympics. Owen Sound alumnus Jordan Binnington (STL) made 21 saves. Canada is looking for its 10th gold medal at the Olympics and first since 2014 – the last time NHL players competed at the tournament.
MITCH MARNER OVERTIME HERO❗️
The @LondonKnights legend sends🇨🇦 to the semi-finals of #MilanoCortina2026! pic.twitter.com/kkAmVkBdfH
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) February 18, 2026
The Portland Winterhawks’ Nino Niederreiter (WPG) scored for Switzerland but they saw a 2-0 lead disappear in the third period in an eventual 3-2 overtime loss to Finland. With their victory, Finland have now reached the Final Four in four of the last five Olympics that was highlighted by its only gold medal in 2022.
A 2-1 overtime win over Sweden sent the USA into the semi-finals for the first time since 2014. The two-time gold medallists (1960/1980) will also be seeking its first Olympic medal since they won silver in 2010.
Day 8 schedule (Feb. 20):
Canada vs.Finland – 10:40am ET / 7:40am PT
USA vs. Slovakia – 3:10pm ET / 12:10pm PT
A look ahead:
The tournament takes a day off Thursday but returns Friday for its two semi-finals as Canada faces Finland and USA battles Slovakia. The bronze medal game will take place Saturday while the gold medal game is Sunday at 8am ET / 5am PT.
Bring on the semifinals 😎
Watch the semifinals at the #MilanoCortina2026 #WinterOlympics Friday, February 19 on @NBCSports, @peacock, @cbcsports, @cbcgem, & @Sportsnet! pic.twitter.com/x4m0nFs4fb
— NHL (@NHL) February 18, 2026
