The medal round brought the tournament to its sharpest edge, where elite play, historic rivalries and tightening margins set the stage for semifinals and medal games defined by pressure and consequence.
Men’s Hockey: Semifinals (Feb. 20)
United States 6, Slovakia 2
The United States booked its place in the gold medal game with a dominant 6–2 semifinal victory over Slovakia, bringing an end to the underdog’s impressive Olympic run.
Slovakia struck first and showed early confidence, but the Americans quickly imposed their pace. Led by the speed and creativity of Auston Matthews and Jack Hughes, the U.S. overwhelmed Slovakia with relentless forechecking and rapid puck movement.
A three-goal second period broke the game open, as American depth lines capitalized on turnovers and sustained offensive-zone pressure. Two more goals in the third sealed the result, turning a competitive opening into a statement win.
Positive (USA): Speed, depth and offensive pressure across all four lines.
Negative (USA): Early defensive lapses allowed Slovakia momentum.
Positive (Slovakia): Fearless start and strong tournament showing.
Negative (Slovakia): Could not withstand sustained U.S. pressure.
Canada 3, Finland 2
Canada advanced to the gold medal game with a hard-fought 3–2 semifinal win over Finland in a matchup defined by structure, physical play and patience — and one that came at a significant cost.
Canadian captain Sidney Crosby set the tone early, controlling the pace with key faceoff wins and steady defensive play. However, midway through the game, Crosby was forced to leave after taking an awkward hit along the boards, heading down the tunnel and not returning.
His absence immediately shifted the dynamic. Connor McDavid shouldered a heavier load offensively, repeatedly attacking with speed and creating extended offensive-zone pressure.
Finland responded each time Canada took the lead, keeping the game tight deep into the third period. The decisive moment came midway through the final frame, when Canada converted off sustained zone time before locking things down defensively to close out the win without its captain on the bench.
Positive (Canada): Depth, composure and resilience under adversity.
Negative (Canada): Losing Crosby cast uncertainty ahead of the final.
Positive (Finland): Defensive discipline and persistence.
Negative (Finland): Could not capitalize after Crosby’s exit.
Bronze Medal Game (Feb. 21)
Finland 6, Slovakia 1
Finland closed its Olympic tournament with authority, overpowering Slovakia 6–1 to claim bronze.
Determined to respond after its semifinal loss, Finland played with pace and purpose from the opening faceoff. Quick puck movement and aggressive forechecking produced three first-period goals, immediately placing Slovakia on its heels.
Fatigue caught up with the Slovaks as the game wore on, while Finland continued to press and convert chances, effectively putting the contest out of reach before the second intermission.
Positive (Finland): Clinical finishing and a strong bounce-back performance.
Negative (Finland): Defensive lapses allowed one goal.
Positive (Slovakia): Continued to compete despite exhaustion.
Negative (Slovakia): Depth and energy were depleted.
Gold Medal Game (Feb. 22)
United States 2, Canada 1 (OT)
The men’s hockey tournament concluded with its most anticipated matchup — Canada versus the United States — played in the early morning hours back home, forcing Canadians in some parts of the country to set alarms well before sunrise for a gold medal showdown years in the making.
Without Crosby in the lineup due to the injury sustained in the quarterfinal, Canada entered the final missing not only its captain, but one of its most stabilizing presences. The absence was felt in key moments, particularly on defensive-zone draws and during extended shifts under pressure.
Despite that, Canada controlled long stretches of regulation, driven by McDavid’s speed and puck possession. The Canadians generated sustained offensive-zone pressure and multiple late chances, while the United States countered with disciplined structure and timely transition play.
After Canada tied the game in the second period to force overtime, tension peaked — both on the ice and across Canadian living rooms, where fans watched bleary-eyed but fully engaged.
In the extra frame, the Americans seized their moment. Jack Hughes delivered the "Golden Goal", finishing a rush chance to seal a 2–1 overtime victory and Olympic gold for the United States.
The win came 46 years to the day after the Miracle on Ice, when the U.S. stunned the Soviet Union at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics, adding historic weight to the moment.
Positive (USA): Patience, execution and composure under pressure.
Negative (USA): Spent long stretches defending.
Positive (Canada): Resilience and territorial dominance despite adversity.
Negative (Canada): Missed chances and the absence of its captain proved costly.
What the gold medal loss means for Canada
Canada’s silver-medal finish will prompt reflection rooted not in failure, but transition.
Watching the gold medal game unfold without Crosby underscored how much of Team Canada’s identity has been built around his presence for nearly two decades. His leadership in faceoffs, penalty killing and late-game moments was noticeably absent, sharpening the reality that a generational shift is underway.
That shift, however, comes with optimism.
Connor Bedard is poised to become the program’s next centrepiece, combining elite scoring instincts with creativity suited for international ice. Macklin Celebrini has already shown the maturity and two-way reliability required to thrive in high-pressure tournaments.
Further down the pipeline, Gavin McKenna represents the next wave — a dynamic forward expected to shape Canada’s future international rosters.
Looking ahead to 2028 and 2030
The 2028 World Cup of Hockey is expected to serve as Canada’s first major international test without Crosby at the core, offering a preview of a younger, faster lineup led by Bedard, Celebrini and McDavid.
By the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps, Canada’s roster could look dramatically different — shaped by players who watched this overtime loss in the early hours of the morning and carry it forward as motivation.
Milano Cortina did not end with gold, but it may be remembered as the moment one era closed, and another began.
