Olympics 2022: Canada was thrown out of Sweden in the quarterfinals of men’s hockey; The United States is eliminated by Slovakia
Canada and the United States will be excluded from the men’s hockey medals at the Winter Olympics in Beijing after both teams lost in Wednesday’s quarterfinals. The Americans lost 3-2 against Slovakia, lost in a penalty shootout, while Canada got 2-0 from Sweden.
Sweden now meets the Slovaks in Friday’s semi-final while Finland meets ROC. The Finns defeated Switzerland 5-1 on Wednesday. The Russian team beat Denmark 3-1.
Canada and Sweden were locked in a 0-0 draw in the third period when Lucas Wallmark beat Canadian goalkeeper Matt Tomkins to take the lead. Canada did not manage to beat the Swedish goalkeeper Lars Johansson, who made 22 saves for shutout, and Anton Lander sealed the victory with an empty goal.
Earlier on Wednesday, Slovakia first beat the United States, with 17-year-old talisman Juraj Slafkovsky scoring 8:15 left in the first period – his fifth in Beijing.
The United States responded with a goal from Harvard junior Nick Abruzzese with 45.7 seconds left of the first period. The Americans took their first lead with 11:04 left of the second period thanks to Sam Hentges, who scored his first goal in the Beijing Games and gave his team 2-1.
Slovakia, on the verge of elimination, pulled the goalkeeper with about 1:30 left and was able to withdraw money. With 43.7 left, Marek Hrivik found the net. The United States could not counter, which sent the match to a 10-minute three-on-three overtime period. Without any winner being made, the match led to a penalty kick.
Both teams had their first three shots blocked. The United States also missed its fourth, but Peter Cehlarik scored goals on the fourth of Slovakia. US captain Andy Miele could not counter on the fifth shot, and Slovakia won 3-2 to advance.
The American men – who went 0-on-4 in power play in the loss – were looking for their first Olympic medal since 2010. Canada, gold medalists with NHL players in 2010 and 2014, won bronze four years ago.
(Photo: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)