Czechia and Canada Face Off in Olympic Hockey Showdown

Powerhouses clash in men's hockey quarterfinal at 2026 Winter Games in Milan

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy will feature a highly anticipated men's hockey quarterfinal matchup between Team Czechia and Team Canada. The game is set to take place on Thursday, February 12th at 10:40 a.m. ET at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.

Why it matters

This clash of hockey titans pits two of the sport's global superpowers against each other with a spot in the semifinals on the line. Both teams boast rosters stacked with NHL talent, setting the stage for an epic showdown between the two nations.

The details

Team Czechia is led by star wingers David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins and Martin Necas of the Colorado Avalanche. The squad also features physical defenseman Radko Gudas and three NHL goaltenders. On the other side, Team Canada is captained by Sidney Crosby and features a wealth of offensive firepower including Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid and Cale Makar. However, there are questions about the team's goaltending, with Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues expected to get the start despite a difficult NHL season.

  • The game is scheduled for Thursday, February 12th, 2026 at 10:40 a.m. ET.
  • The 2026 Winter Olympics are taking place in Milan, Italy.

The players

David Pastrnak

Star winger for Team Czechia and the Boston Bruins, with 22 goals and 49 assists in 52 NHL games this season.

Martin Necas

Skilled winger for Team Czechia and the Colorado Avalanche, with 22 goals and 40 assists in 52 NHL games this season.

Sidney Crosby

Captain of Team Canada and one of the NHL's premier centers with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Jordan Binnington

Goaltender for Team Canada and the St. Louis Blues, expected to start despite a difficult NHL season.

Cale Makar

Standout defenseman for Team Canada and the Colorado Avalanche.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This highly anticipated Olympic quarterfinal matchup between hockey powerhouses Czechia and Canada promises to be an epic clash, with both teams boasting rosters stacked with NHL talent. The outcome could come down to which team's goaltending holds up better on the international stage.