Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Mitch Marner buried a backhander in overtime to lead Canada past Czechia on Wednesday, sealing a ticket to the 2026 Winter Olympics hockey semifinals.
Marner beat Czechia goaltender Lukas Dostal just 82 seconds into the overtime period of the chaotic quarterfinal at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. The Canadians trailed twice, including a 3-2 deficit with less than 3:30 remaining in regulation.
The Canadians also won the game despite playing without star forward Sidney Crosby for the final 35 minutes. Crosby sustained a lower-body injury from a hit he took from Czechia defenseman Radko Gudas in the second period.
With the victory, Canada will move onto a semifinal match Friday in Milan.
MITCH MARNER CALLS GAME IN OT. #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/8nCO7eg2fa— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 18, 2026
