There was no shortage of drama or excitement in the final three Quarterfinal matchups at the 2026 Men’s Olympic Ice Hockey tournament on Wednesday.
The United States, Canada, and Finland were all on the verge of getting upset before coming up with clutch overtime winners. The Semifinals are now set in Milan, with only four countries remaining with a chance to capture a Gold Medal. More in the links for all the latest out of the Olympics.
In Blackhawks news, the team held its first full practice out of the Olympic break on Wednesday, and a series of roster moves were made shortly before the session began.
Around the league, Sidney Crosby suffered an injury in Canada’s win over Czechia, Quinn Hughes’s crucial addition for the USA, and a former Blackhawks goaltender has been shut down for the season.
All that & more in the Daily!
Chicago Blackhawks Recap, News & Tidbits
Chicago Hockey Now: To no surprise, the Chicago Blackhawks recalled Sam Rinzel from the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL on Wednesday. Joining him in getting called up was former first-round pick Kevin Korchinski, who could be in line for his longest NHL stint since his rookie season in 2023-24. With Wyatt Kaiser on injured reserve, Korchinski could be a regular in the lineup for the time being.
More CHN: For the first time since getting injured on Dec. 12, Connor Bedard is back taking faceoffs for the Blackhawks. The 20-year-old is set to return to a full-time, true-center role for the final 25 games of the season.
More CHN: ICYMI, Blackhawks goaltender prospect Stanislav Berezhnoy was one of two players suspended for 20 games by the American Hockey League. Berezhnoy, 23, has been serving as Drew Commesso’s backup for the Rockford IceHogs this season, which is his first in North America.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
The Athletic: With the United States’ Gold Medal hopes on the line, Quinn Hughes stepped up when his country needed him the most and delivered the overtime winner to defeat Sweden 2-1 in the Quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Vegas Hockey Now: Big Game Mitch! Canada also dodged a bullet in the Olympic Quarterfinals on Wednesday, as they trailed 3-2 late in the third period against Czechia. Nick Suzuki tied the game late, and then Mitch Marner buried a nasty overtime winner to send the Canadians into the Semifinals. But I thought Marner didn’t show up in big moments?! Blasphemy.
Colorado Hockey Now: Colorado Avalanche forward Arturri Lehkonen was the overtime hero for Finland, who clawed their way back from a 2-0 deficit in the third period and defeated Switzerland 3-2. Poor Switzerland was SO close to moving on. Teuvo Teravainen and Finland survive and advance to face Canada next on Friday.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The scare of the day, Pittsburgh Penguins and Canadian captain Sidney Crosby was forced to exit the Quarterfinal matchup with Czechia early after a collision with Radko Gudas at center ice. Crosby’s status for the remainder of the tournament remains unclear, but he and the team are upbeat about his chances of returning.
Sportsnet: Former Chicago Blackhawks goaltender and current Anaheim Duck Petr Mrazek underwent hip surgery on Wednesday and will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season. Mrazek, 34, has been plagued by hip issues for the last few years. He made 10 appearances with Anaheim this season, going 3-5-0 with a 4.07 GAA and .858 save percentage.
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