Canada stuns Czechia in OT to reach Olympic hockey semifinals
Team Canada advanced to the Olympic ice hockey semifinals after a dramatic 4-3 overtime win against Czechia. The victory came despite concerns over Sidney Crosby's condition following a heavy collision during the match. Canada will now face Finland on Friday for a place in the final.
The game took a tense turn in the second period when Crosby was hit twice in quick succession. First, Radko Gudas made contact, followed by a second check from Martin Necas and Gudas. Crosby remained on the bench for roughly a minute before leaving the ice with 13:55 left in the period.
Canada rallied after the incident. Nathan MacKinnon put the team ahead with a power-play goal, while Nick Suzuki levelled the score at 3-3. Mitch Marner then sealed the win in overtime, sending Canada through to the next round.
Coach Jon Cooper confirmed Crosby was well enough to speak to the team during the second intermission. Teammates later said his resilience motivated them to push harder. Crosby, who has recorded six points in four games, continued playing without further issues.
Meanwhile, Switzerland's Kevin Fiala suffered a lower leg injury during a match against Canada on 18 February. Unlike Crosby, Fiala was forced to withdraw from the tournament early.
Canada's semifinal clash with Finland will take place on Friday. Crosby's performance remains key, with the team relying on his experience and scoring ability. The victory over Czechia keeps their gold medal hopes alive as the competition progresses.
