The men's quarterfinal round at the Winter Olympics was nothing short of thrilling, with dramatic comebacks and overtime excitement. The Buffalo Sabres, even from afar, were tuned in to every moment.
Canada narrowly escaped an upset by Czechia, while Finland's late surge against Switzerland secured their spot in the semifinals. They'll face off on Friday for a chance at the gold medal. Meanwhile, Tage Thompson and Team USA edged out Rasmus Dahlin and Sweden in a tight 2-1 contest, setting up a semifinal clash with Slovakia.
Sabres forward Josh Doan, who shared gold with Thompson at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, reflected on the nail-biting action. “It was nerve-wracking,” Doan admitted after Thursday’s practice.
“The Canadian guys were on edge watching. You cheer for Ras and the others, but you want the U.S. to come through, and thankfully they did.”
Seth Appert, Sabres assistant coach and former USA Hockey coach, felt the intensity from his own vantage point. “I was in the coaches’ war room, talking to the TV,” Appert shared.
“The hockey’s been outstanding. You could argue it was one of the greatest days for our sport, with three overtime games and incredible quality of play.”
Josh Norris, a Michigan native, has strong ties to the American roster and expressed his pride in their performance. “Some of those guys, I’ve known since I was a teenager.
It’s amazing to see their dreams come true,” Norris said. “U.S. hockey is in a great place right now.”
Though the Sabres staff isn't in Italy, they've influenced Team USA's strategy, particularly with Thompson, who has scored twice in four Olympic games. Known for his power-play prowess in Buffalo, Thompson has adapted to a net-front role for the U.S., showcasing his versatility.
“The U.S. staff asked if we thought he could handle that role, and we certainly do,” Appert explained. “He’s got the smarts and skills to play any position on the power play, and he’s making the most of it.”
Olympic competition offers more than just tactical benefits. Thompson and Dahlin have been immersed in high-stakes hockey, which should serve the Sabres well as they gear up for the final stretch of the season.
“Playing with other elite players provides insight,” Appert noted. “You learn from their habits, their dedication. It’s invaluable experience that benefits the team.”
Injury updates from Thursday’s practice brought some good news. Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen returned to full practice after a lower-body injury and aims to be ready for next Wednesday’s game. Forwards Josh Norris and Josh Dunne also participated fully, shedding their non-contact jerseys, while Zach Benson remains sidelined.
The Sabres have three more practices before heading to New Jersey. Stay tuned for full coverage as they continue their playoff push.