With NHL gamers returning to the Winter Olympics for the primary time since 2014, these Video games have been anticipated to be a relative stroll for Canada and USA. Nevertheless, each star-packed groups struggled in Wednesday’s males’s ice hockey quarter-finals.
Quinn Hughes scored in extra time to place the US previous Sweden 2-1 after giving up the tying purpose to Mika Zibanejad with 91 seconds left within the third interval. Dylan Larkin deflected Jack Hughes’ shot in for the one US purpose in regulation.
“Simply reduction,” Hughes stated when requested about his feelings after the sport.
In the meantime, Canada’s quarter-final was a good tighter affair. Nick Suzuki tied the sport on a deflection with 3:27 left, Mitch Marner scored in extra time, and Canada averted what would have been a shocking exit on the Olympics by rallying to beat the Czech Republic 4-3.
“I by no means had a doubt, but it surely was getting a little bit nerve-racking,” defenseman Drew Doughty stated.
Canada fell behind with 7:42 remaining when Ondrej Palat scored off a cross from Martin Necas. The purpose despatched the Czech bench and followers right into a wild celebration, however their pleasure was short-lived.
Suzuki nearly did all of it on the tying purpose, sending the puck out to the purpose to Devon Toews after which redirecting the defenseman’s shot previous Lukas Dostal. The Canadians nonetheless might have misplaced: Jordan Binnington denied David Pastrnak on a breakaway with 70 seconds left to ship the sport previous regulation.
Then Marner’s backhanded purpose 1:22 into extra time put Canada into Friday’s semi-finals.
“It’s the it-factor, man: Mitch Marner’s bought it,” coach Jon Cooper stated. “He doesn’t disappoint. Generally your hair falls out at occasions, however ultimately, he by no means disappoints.”
Canada has received extra golds than any nation in Olympic ice hockey historical past. However this yr’s males’s group have issues past their struggles in Wednesday’s sport. They misplaced star Sidney Crosby to harm 5 minutes into the second interval after his proper leg appeared to buckle as he braced for contact with rugged Czech Republic defenseman Radko Gudas. Crosby left the ice second later after he was crunched in opposition to the boards by Gudas and Necas.
“All people had full religion in whoever was going over the boards,” Cooper stated. “It simply felt it was like a matter of time. It was going to occur.”
The US will face Slovakia in a single semi-final on Friday night time. Simply earlier than that, Canada will play Finland within the different.
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