For whatever doubts you may have had about the quality of the hockey going into the 2026 Winter Olympic games, the past three days have delivered some of the best action we could have hoped for. Since Wednesday, eight games have been played with six of them being decided by only one goal, and five straight going into sudden-death overtime. Both women’s medal matches needed the extra 3-on-3 frame, resulting in perhaps one of the most iconic Golden Goals you will ever see as the US defeated Canada
on Thursday, leading to Friday’s men’s matchups.
For Hurricanes fans, Friday was the day most had circled as the bracket broke just right and they were able to see their players in both games. Two beloved members finally faced off against each other, and in the end they’ll see it again Sunday morning as the US with Jaccob Slavin helping to anchor the blue line takes on Canada with Seth Jarvis—hopefully—on Sunday for the gold medal. Sebastian Aho and Finland will play Slovakia Saturday for the Bronze.
How did we get here and when do you need to watch the last two games of Olympic action?
Semifinal One: Finland vs. Canada
Canada has lived on a razor’s edge ever since the Olympic Tournament turned into single elimination. They had been cruising to victories for the most part, but following their come-from-behind OT winner on Wednesday, they saw themselves staring at another 2-0 deficit halfway into the semifinal matchup against a very game Finland team.
Sebastian Aho was a factor in both goals, though in wildly different ways. The first came during the first period on a Power Play, where Rod Brind’Amour had to be smiling despite it coming against Canada. Aho won the faceoff and won it back to Mikko Rantanen. Rantanen wasted no time blasting the puck past Jordan Bennington, and the Finns took a 1-0 lead. On the second goal he was in the box for an interference penalty. Despite one of the most lethal power play units in the world heading to the ice, Canada managed to misplay the puck leading to a Erik Haula breakaway on Bennington. Haula pulled a nice move to get the puck by Bennington, and somehow Finland was up 2-0.
Yes, fans wanting Sebastian Aho to succeed had to see Mikko Rantanen and Erik Haula succeed. But hey, if you’re rooting for Canada to succeed there’s also Tom Wilson and Brad Marchand. Oh, you’re rooting for the US? Cool, then there’s Matthew Tkachuk. Such is the way at the Olympics.
After Finland went up 2-0, there was a notable shift in play. Finland seemed to mostly peel back and do everything they could to be on defense in front of Juuse Saros, while Canada significantly shortened the bench and deployed the top line for about 20 of the remaining 40 minutes. Those strategies worked in Canada’s favor as the Power Play would get another shot later in the second and this one converted to get Canada to 2-1 going into the third.
The rush from Canada continued in the third. They were able to tie it up about 10 minutes into the frame at even strength, and then with 2:35 left, Niko Mikkola had his stick go up high on Nathan MacKinnon. MacKinnon sold the call, but the replay was pretty clear that it was the right one. Finland almost killed it, but MacKinnon was able to hit a shot that somehow found space between Saros and the post to give Canada the 3-2 lead. Finland challenged for offside—which usually means it’ll get called back—but replays were inconclusive enough for the goal to stand. A last push which included Sebastian Aho getting a clear shot at the net but was too wide to get a good shot off fell short, and Canada advanced to Sunday’s matchup.
Semifinal Two: Slovakia vs. United States
After so much beautiful hockey, a sign that this game wouldn’t be was when both teams stepped out on the ice but you had a tough time telling who was who as both had blue, white, and red uniforms with blue helmets. Seriously, the uniforms for each team were great—Slovakia’s with the mountains behind the crest show some actual creativity that’s been tough to find on sweaters this go around—but with a bunch of blue on the ice you were quickly given the answer “why do the Canes sometimes wear white helmets on the road and sometimes red?”
“Oh yeah, because you need to be able to tell different teams apart.”
Regardless, the magic that Slovakia had been riding to the semifinals ran out quickly on Friday. The US went up 2-0 after one, scoring their first just 4:19 in as Dylan Larkin has continued his outstanding tournament play. Tage Thompson would get the second goal, though he wouldn’t finish the game after taking a puck off his foot. In the second period, Jack Hughes took over and basically ended any comeback hope for Slovakia by scoring two goals. In between his goals, Jack Eichel scored to chase the Slovakian goalie in a tacit surrender move and saving the netminder for Saturday.
Jaccob Slavin didn’t appear on the goal sheet, but he was a huge reason it took Slovakia until the third to score. Despite the domination, the US took more than a few penalties which resulted in Slavin being out for the penalty kill.
Bronze Medal Match: Finland vs Slovakia 2:40 PM ET
The loss for the Finns was especially tough as they had it in their grasp and a few controversial plays just ultimately went against them to keep them from a chance at repeating their 2022 result. They and Slovakia must regroup however as there is still a chance to take home a medal which considering how stacked the US and Canada rosters are, is no small feat.
This will also be a rematch as you’ll recall these two met in the very first game of the Olympics last Wednesday. Slovakia surprised the Finns, but that loss is ultimately what propelled them to where they are now as they rallied to beat Sweden, throttle Italy, and survive overtime against Switzerland where Sebastian Aho started the rally from 2-0 down. The first match had many thinking Finland would have taken the route that Sweden ultimately did, and the fact that they can end this tournament by enacting some revenge and taking home a prize should help them quickly recover from a hard-fought match.
On the other side, Slovakia has a chance to do someone few thought would happen. Going into the Olympics, many felt the 4Nations Tournament was going to essentially be a preview of the semifinals, and of the teams that would “surprise” others and get to play for a medal, few would have thought of Slovakia. This team is young, but has up-and-coming NHLers in Juraj Slafkovsky, Dalibor Dvorsky, Pavol Regenda, and Simon Nemec. Former NHLer Tomas Tatar Captains the squad.
Will the fact that Slovakia was out-gunned early mean they are emotionally fresher for the match, or will Finland be hungry for revenge and the ability to celebrate a bronze medal? We’ll see Saturday starting at 2:40 PM
Gold Medal Match: US vs. Canada, Sunday 8:10 ET
It’s the two biggest super powers, it’s a rematch from last year’s epic 4Nations Final, there won’t be any staged fights like last year because anyone who fights is given a game misconduct, and it’s the lethal offensive push of the Canadians against the strongest blue line in the world.
Whether Seth Jarvis is out there is a good question. Jon Cooper seemed to imply that Sidney Crosby—who missed Friday’s game and caused Jarvis to start the game on MacKinnon’s line—would be back, and thanks to the way the rosters are structured he can be the 13th forward to play sheltered minutes. The question would be who comes off the ice? We’ll see if it’s Jarvis or someone else, but even if he plays he likely won’t see more than the eight minutes of ice time he had Friday.
As for Slavin? Considering how much of a factor he played in last year’s match, expect to hear his name again. He’s already been seen doing more Jaccob Slavin things in the elimination round, being one of the few defensemen name-checked by broadcasters. He’ll be an important factor again Sunday.
Set your alarms, get a good breakfast, and hunker in. This should be a good one.
