MILAN – Slovakia is heading to the Olympic semifinals after a dominant 6-2 victory over Germany on Wednesday, guaranteeing a medal in the Milano Cortina Games. The win wasn’t solely reliant on Montreal Canadiens star Juraj Slafkovsky, despite pre-game expectations, but a collective effort that showcased the team’s depth and resilience.
The Slovaks entered the quarterfinal matchup emphasizing a team-first approach. “We were saying, ‘It doesn’t matter who’s going to score,’” Slafkovsky said. “We just need that one extra goal.” They certainly found more than one, with a balanced attack that overwhelmed the German defense. This victory marks a significant step for a Slovakian team hoping to build on their success and contend for a medal.
Dalibor Dvorsky and Pavol Regenda led the offensive charge. Dvorsky, who plays for the St. Louis Blues, contributed a goal and an assist, while Regenda netted two goals as part of a three-point performance. Alternate captain Erik Cernak, a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning, expressed the team’s surprise and delight. “Amazing,” Cernak said. “Before the tournament, if we would say we’re going to make semifinals, probably people would laugh at you. But we did it, and it’s not done yet.”
The game wasn’t without a scare for Slovakia. Slafkovsky, the reigning Olympic MVP, took a hit into the boards in the second period and briefly left the ice. A trainer immediately applied an ice pack to the back of his neck. Slafkovsky, however, quickly returned to the bench and reassured fans, stating, “I’m OK. I was a little shaken up, but after a couple minutes I felt OK again. I went out there, and head wasn’t spinning. I was seeing normal.”
Juraj Slafkovsky et la Slovaquie accèdent aux demi-finales à Milan-Cortina 2026!
Onto the semifinals for Juraj Slafkovsky and Slovakia at #MilanoCortina2026!
#GoHabsGo #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/EImmbk6zO4— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) February 18, 2026
While Slafkovsky didn’t add to his goal total against Germany, he did register an assist on captain Tomas Tatar’s empty-net goal with 3:27 remaining. He emphasized the importance of the team’s overall performance. “I don’t think it does matter if Slafko has some points,” defenseman Martin Fehervary added, “He can do some other function for us, and we have plenty of players who can score, as well.”
Slovakian Offense Shines
Dvorsky and Regenda spearheaded the Slovakian attack, but the team’s offensive success was a product of collective effort. Dvorsky’s performance included a key assist on Milos Kelemen’s goal and a well-executed individual effort to score his third goal of the Olympics. At the other end of the ice, Minnesota Wild prospect Samuel Hlavaj was solid in net, stopping 25 of 27 shots, conceding goals only to Lukas Reichel, assisted by Leon Draisaitl, and Frederik Tiffels on the power play.
Building on Past Success
This Olympic run builds on Slovakia’s previous success at the 2022 Beijing Games, where Slafkovsky led the team to a bronze medal, scoring seven goals in seven games. That achievement was particularly notable as it occurred without NHL participation due to pandemic-related scheduling issues. This year’s competition, however, features a full complement of NHL stars, including Draisaitl, Finland’s Mikko Rantanen, and Sweden’s William Nylander, making Slovakia’s semifinal berth even more impressive. Slafkovsky acknowledged the difference, stating, “It’s probably 100 times better. You’ve got the best players over here, and we managed to approach here and move to semi-finals. It’s considerable for me, big for our country, big for every supporter we have.”
Juraj Slafkovský poslal Leona Draisaitla zpátky do Edmontonu! 🏒 pic.twitter.com/wpr45fZow9
— Vojtěch Tůma (@vojtechtuma7) February 18, 2026
Coach Vladimir Orszagh’s team exceeded expectations, initially viewed as a developing squad with greater potential for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey and the 2030 Games in the French Alps. “be more proud of our players,” Orszagh said. “We are a band of brothers who work for the team, for each other, and living our dream. And we’re still living.”
What’s Next for Slovakia?
As the No. 3 seed, Slovakia will face either the United States, Finland, Switzerland, Sweden, or Czechia in the semifinals on Friday. Regenda emphasized the team’s focus on preparation. “We just have to keep working, and whatever opening comes next, we’re going to be ready for whoever,” he said. “We have to be as a team as we are. We have great guys, and we have to stick as a team.” The U.S. Will play Sweden, while Canada faces Czechia, and Finland takes on Switzerland in other quarterfinal matchups.
The team’s unexpected success in Milan has energized the nation and provided a platform for its young stars to shine on the international stage. The semifinals promise a challenging test, but Slovakia has demonstrated the resilience and teamwork necessary to compete with the world’s best.
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