The 2026 IIHF World Hockey Championship entered its knockout phase on Thursday, with the quarterfinal round delivering high‑stakes drama.
Canada opened the night with a commanding 4‑0 victory over the United States, a performance anchored by a quartet of goals from rising star Macklin Celebrini, veteran forward Dylan Holloway, depth scorer Connor Brown and the ever‑reliable Sidney Crosby.
Netminder Jet Greaves turned in a stellar 34‑save outing, preserving a clean sheet and underscoring the depth of Canada’s defensive corps.
Across the ice, Finland followed suit with a 4‑2 triumph over Czechia, thanks to goals from Sakari Manninen, Anton Lundell, Konsta Helenius and Lenni Hämeenaho. The win marked Finland’s first semifinal appearance in three consecutive tournaments, ending a streak of quarterfinal exits that had plagued the team.
Road to the Final Four
The remaining semifinal slots will be decided when Sweden take on Switzerland and Latvia meet Norway, matches that promise to test the mettle of Europe’s emerging powers.
Historical context adds intrigue: the Czech Republic has been eliminated in the quarterfinals in three of the past four world championships, a pattern broken only by their surprise gold medal in 2024.
For the United States, the tournament has been marked by scarcity of familiar faces; Matthew Tkachuk stands as the sole player from the recent Olympic champion roster to see action in this edition.
Canada’s lineup, meanwhile, blends Olympic gold‑medal talent with a host of established NHL names, including Celebrini and Crosby, while also featuring big‑name stars such as Evan Bouchard, Ryan Lindgren and others who add depth and experience.