The stage is set for the most explosive day of the 2026 Winter Olympics ice hockey tournament as the final four teams prepare to battle for a spot in the gold medal match. After a dramatic quarter-final round that saw three of the four games decided in overtime, the men's tournament has reached its peak intensity. Fans around the world are gearing up for a double-header that features some of the biggest stars in the NHL, including Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews, as they represent their nations on the world's biggest stage.
In the first semi-final clash, Canada will take on the defending Olympic champions, Finland, at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Canada enters the contest following a nerve-wracking 4-3 overtime victory over Czechia, though the team is closely monitoring the status of captain Sidney Crosby, who exited the quarter-final with a lower-body injury. Finland, known for their relentless defensive structure, also required extra time to dispatch Switzerland in their previous outing.
Winter Olympics 2026 Canada vs Finland Ice Hockey Semi Final: India and Global timings
India (IST): 9:10 PM (Friday, Feb 20)
Italy (CET - Local): 4:40 PM (Friday, Feb 20)
US Eastern Time (ET): 10:40 AM (Friday, Feb 20)
United Kingdom (GMT): 3:40 PM (Friday, Feb 20)
The second semi-final features the United States facing off against a resilient Slovakia squad that has already proven it can upset the giants. Team USA reached this stage after a thrilling 2-1 overtime win against Sweden, sparked by a game-winning goal from defenseman Quinn Hughes. The Americans are seeking their first men's ice hockey gold since the 1980 "Miracle on Ice," but they face a Slovakian team that dominated Germany 6-2 in the quarters and previously defeated the U.S. in recent world competitions.
Milano Cortina 2026 United States vs Slovakia Ice Hockey Semi Final: India and Global timings
India (IST): 1:40 AM (Saturday, Feb 21)
Italy (CET - Local): 9:10 PM (Friday, Feb 20)
US Eastern Time (ET): 3:10 PM (Friday, Feb 20)
United Kingdom (GMT): 8:10 PM (Friday, Feb 20)
The 2026 Winter Olympics ice hockey journey doesn't end with today's games. Following the semi-final matchups, the losing teams will move on to the Bronze Medal Game, while the winners will prepare for the ultimate showdown in the Final.
If you are wondering how to watch Winter Olympics 2026 or where to watch the action live, several platforms are providing comprehensive coverage. In India, select events are available for live streaming on the JioHotstar app and website, while certain highlights and participation -specific events may be featured on Olympics.com. Globally, viewers in the United States can find every single medal event live on Peacock and across NBCUniversal networks like USA Network and CNBC. UK fans can turn to the BBC iPlayer and Warner Bros. Discovery platforms, while CBC Gem remains the go-to for Canadian viewers.
