Wednesday’s quarterfinals may have been arguably the most epic set of games we’ve seen in one day. At least for a long time.
The first matchup saw Slovakia cruise past Germany, punching a ticket to the final four with a one-sided 6-2 victory.
But the next three games all required overtime.
Canada got a game-tying goal from Nick Suzuki with just over three minutes remaining to force OT before Mitch Marner scored the winner.
Finland trailed 2-0 and made a late comeback, scoring the second goal with 1:12 left in regulation, also forcing OT. The game winner came from Artturi Lehkonen.
To close off a stretch of entertaining hockey, Team USA was holding on for dear life, leading Sweden 1-0 in the final minutes. But with 1:31 remaining, Mika Zibanejad tied it up to send it to extra time.
Unfortunately for Gabe Landeskog and the Swedes, Quinn Hughes halted their comeback with the OT winner. Landeskog and Martin Necas were both eliminated on Wednesday.
The other six Avalanche skaters will all have a chance to play for a medal on Friday.
Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Devon Toews and Team Canada will face Joel Kiviranta, Lehkonen, and Finland in the early game. Brock Nelson and the Americans will take on Slovakia in the later game.
The winners of those two games will play for Gold. The losers will play for Bronze.
The Avs have had the most impact on the Olympics among NHL teams. Each of their eight participants have found the back of the net at least once, and their 16 combined goals paces the league.
In fact, the second most goals from one NHL team is San Jose, and they have eight. Colorado has produced double the number of goals as second place.
Landeskog’s tournament ends with two goals and two assists. Necas goes home as the fourth-highest point producer, compiling three goals, five assists, and eight points.
MacKinnon has three goals and three assists. Lehkonen has two goals and three assists. Kiviranta has two goals.
The defense pairing of Makar and Toews has each produced one goal, both of which came in a 10-2 rout over France. Makar has an additional three assists, while Toews has one.
The rest of the Avs resumed skating back in Denver.
