Sharks' Philipp Kurashev scores for Switzerland in Olympics win over Italy

San Jose Sharks center-winger tallied a goal in Switzerland's 3-0 victory over the host nation.

Feb. 18, 2026 at 5:07pm

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San Jose Sharks center-winger Philipp Kurashev scored a goal for Switzerland in their 3-0 win over Italy in men's ice hockey at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. Kurashev's early goal helped Switzerland advance to the quarterfinals and eliminate the host nation from the competition.

Why it matters

Kurashev's performance for Switzerland highlights the talent of San Jose Sharks players on the international stage, which can boost the team's profile and fan interest. The Olympics also provide a platform for lesser-known national teams like Switzerland to compete against traditional hockey powers.

The details

Kurashev scored the opening goal for Switzerland early in the game, converting on a rebound. The Swiss then doubled their lead on the power play in the 11th minute. Switzerland's strong defensive effort allowed them to shut out the host Italian team.

  • Kurashev scored the opening goal for Switzerland early in the game.
  • Switzerland doubled their lead on the power play in the 11th minute.

The players

Philipp Kurashev

A center-winger for the San Jose Sharks in the NHL who scored the opening goal for Switzerland in their 3-0 win over Italy.

Switzerland

The national ice hockey team of Switzerland, who defeated Italy 3-0 to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

Italy

The host nation's ice hockey team, who were eliminated from the 2026 Olympics after losing 3-0 to Switzerland.

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What they’re saying

“Kurashev's goal helped Switzerland advance to the quarterfinals while eliminating the host nation from the 2026 Olympics.”

— NBC Bay Area Staff (nbcbayarea.com)

The takeaway

Philipp Kurashev's performance for Switzerland showcases the talent of San Jose Sharks players on the international stage, which can help boost the team's profile and fan interest. The Olympics also provide a platform for smaller hockey nations like Switzerland to compete against traditional powers.