We’re through the round-robin and into the real meat of the tournament: Olympic men’s hockey has officially entered the knockout stage in Milan-Cortina. The field is narrowing, the stakes are rising, and the quarterfinal picture is starting to take shape.
The Quarterfinal Field Is Taking Shape
Canada, the United States, Slovakia, and Finland have punched their tickets directly to the quarterfinals, set for February 18. They’ve earned that privilege with strong group-stage performances, and now they wait to see who emerges from the qualification round.
Here’s how the matchups line up for February 17, with eight teams battling for the final four quarterfinal spots:
- Sweden vs. Latvia - 12:10 PM PT
- Switzerland vs. Italy - 3:10 AM PT
- Czechia vs. Denmark - 7:40 AM PT
- Germany vs. France - 3:10 AM PT
The winners of those games will move on to face the top four seeds:
- Canada will play the winner of Czechia vs. Denmark
- USA draws the winner of Sweden vs. Latvia
- Slovakia will face Germany or France
- Finland will get Switzerland or Italy
Macklin Celebrini Is Stealing the Show
If there was any doubt Macklin Celebrini belonged on the Olympic stage, that’s gone now. The 19-year-old San Jose Sharks phenom is making Milan his personal playground.
In Canada’s 10-2 dismantling of France, Celebrini tallied two goals and an assist in just under 16 minutes of ice time. It’s not just the numbers-it’s the poise, the confidence, the way he controls the game.
He’s not playing like a teenager. He’s playing like a star.
One of the more memorable moments came on a penalty shot. Olympic rules allow the coach to pick the shooter, and Canada’s Jon Cooper had options.
But before he could even make a call, Celebrini was already gearing up. Cooper joked about it afterward, saying the whole bench looked at him like, “You’re not really gonna take the puck out of Macklin’s hands, are you?”
Even France’s Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, a veteran of 700 NHL games, was floored by the kid’s performance. “He looks absolutely amazing,” Bellemare said.
“I think he’s 19 or whatever it is. Goddamn.
It’s good that I stopped [playing] in the NHL because if this is what it’s gonna look like, it’s better for me to not be in there anymore.” That’s high praise from a guy who’s seen it all.
Tom Wilson Brings the Edge
This is Olympic hockey, but it’s still hockey-and Tom Wilson reminded everyone of that. After a questionable hit by France’s Pierre Crinon on Nathan MacKinnon, Wilson dropped the gloves in a rare Olympic scrap.
You don’t often see fights in international play, but Wilson has never been one to let a hit like that slide. It was a moment that rallied the bench and underlined the physical edge Canada brings to the table.
Kurashev Steps Up for Switzerland
With Kevin Fiala out for the tournament following a tangle with Tom Wilson, Switzerland turned to Philipp Kurashev to shoulder more responsibility-and he delivered. In a 4-3 overtime win over Czechia, Kurashev logged over 17 minutes on the top line alongside Nico Hischier and Timo Meier.
He didn’t find the scoresheet, but his presence was felt all over the ice. Dean Kukan eventually netted the OT winner, but it was Kurashev’s steady play that helped keep Switzerland in control.
For Kurashev, it’s been a bit of a redemption arc. After a tough couple of years and a rocky World Championship showing, he’s bounced back with a strong season in San Jose and is now playing meaningful minutes on the Olympic stage. It’s the kind of comeback story that doesn’t always make headlines-but it’s exactly the kind of performance national teams need in high-pressure tournaments like this.
Tkachuk’s Mic’d-Up Moment
Leave it to Matthew Tkachuk to stir the pot. During the U.S.’s 5-1 win over Germany, the Florida Panthers forward had a mic’d-up moment that went viral.
After chirping Leon Draisaitl-who he’s faced (and beaten) in back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals-Tkachuk dropped this gem: “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.” It’s classic Tkachuk: fiery, bold, and always ready to needle the opposition.
Rivalry Watch: Sweden vs. Finland
We’re not quite there yet, but you can feel the tension building between Sweden and Finland. The historic rivalry is alive and well in Milan, and even when they’re not facing each other, the competitive fire is burning. San Jose’s John Klingberg got a shoutout from former Stars teammate Esa Lindell in a lighthearted exchange on social media-just a reminder that even at the Olympics, national pride runs deep.
What’s Next
The qualification round is set to bring some fireworks. Sweden-Latvia has upset potential, Czechia-Denmark could be a grind-it-out affair, and don’t sleep on Germany-France-both teams are playing with chips on their shoulders. By the end of February 17, we’ll know who’s moving on and who’s headed home.
And then, it’s quarterfinal time. With Celebrini lighting it up, the U.S. rolling, and Finland and Slovakia lurking as dark horses, the road to gold is officially heating up. Buckle up.