On Wednesday, Canada beat Czechia 4-3 in overtime to advance to the semifinals in a nail-biting quarterfinal matchup. However, had it not been for Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki, Canada wouldn’t have even had a chance to win the game in overtime. Suzuki went from Canada’s scapegoat to a hero in a matter of seconds with a game-tying goal with 3:29 left in regulation to force overtime.

GAME OVER! See you in the semifinals. 🇨🇦🇨🇿

MATCH FINI! On se voit en demi-finale. 🇨🇦🇨🇿

📊 https://t.co/hxW7bO8udR
📊 https://t.co/BfCoy0YmRw#MilanoCortina2026 pic.twitter.com/NaOlwqp8b7

— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) February 18, 2026

After beating Czechia handily 5-0 in the first game of the Olympic Round Robin games, Canada faced a much tougher version of the Czechs on Wednesday that pushed them to their limit. To make matters worse, Canada lost their heart and soul in Sidney Crosby midway through the game after he sustained an injury to his right leg from a big hit by Czechia defenseman Radko Gudas. With that being said, Canada needed a player to step up and fill Crosby’s spot on a line with Mitch Marner and Mark Stone. That’s where Suzuki got his chance to return to the centre, where he played arguably his best game of the tournament even before his game-tying marker.

It is definitely no easy feat to take over Crosby’s role on Team Canada, but if there is one player who can step up when needed most, Habs fans know it is Suzuki. In order to be captain of the Canadiens, a player needs to be able to handle a tremendous amount of pressure on a nightly basis. Some have failed at being able to rise to the occasion, while others like Suzuki seem to play better in high-pressure situations. Not to mention, Suzuki also has a long history of scoring huge goals late in games alongside his partner in crime with the Habs, Cole Caufield. The duo could be quiet all night and then turn a switch and change the game in an instant. Therefore, it makes sense that you would want Suzuki out there when in need of a game-tying goal, and he was able to find that clutch part of his game on Wednesday to help Canada overcome a late deficit.

NICK SUZUKI TIES IT IN THE FINAL SECONDS OF THE GAME 😱

MONTREAL SECURES A MASSIVE POINT! pic.twitter.com/I5ezDyNuCV

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 2, 2025

In fact, during the 2nd period, he had a chance to give Canada a lead when he missed a wide-open net by hitting it off the post. After what had been two tough last games of the Olympics for Suzuki, it felt that he was going on a bit of a slump, with many Canadians around the country questioning if he even fit on the roster. With that missed chance, it was already showing that he was getting in the right areas to create more offence for Canada, and it was just horrible luck for the Habs captain. Thankfully, he would redeem himself and become a hero by tying the game, and that missed opportunity would soon no longer matter.

Suzuki’s clutchness goes just beyond the goal, as he was at the end of his shift and easily could have gotten off the ice for a fresh body. However, knowing they needed a goal, he chose to skate the puck into the corner and buy the next guys on the ice some time so they could keep possession. Suzuki would pass the puck to Seth Jarvis, who got it back to Devon Toews for the point shot, which is where Suzuki was able to get his stick on it to redirect it into the net and tie the game up. This was Suzuki’s 2nd goal of the Olympics, but it was by far his biggest one.

SUZUKI TIES THE GAME FOR TEAM CANADA!! 🇨🇦🍿 pic.twitter.com/a8DqJQCjVo

— Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) February 18, 2026

Even with Suzuki’s goal, Canada still needed a goal in overtime to advance and play for a medal. That is where Marner came in with an incredible individual effort by splitting all 3 Czechia forwards before beating Lukas Dostal with a backhand that went top corner to give Canada the win. Both Suzuki and Marner came in clutch to help Canada advance to the semifinals on Friday.

Canada will play either Finland or Sweden, depending on whether the USA or Sweden wins the quarterfinal matchup that is currently happening. Hopefully Crosby will be healthy enough for the semifinal matchup, but if he isn’t, then Suzuki is also a nice fit at centre between Marner and Stone if needed.