Men's ice hockey Quarter-Final Round Up: USA, Canada stunned as semi-final match-ups set

Shocks aplenty in the men's ice hockey quarter-finals at Beijing 2022 on Wednesday (16 February) as both the United States and Canada were bounced from the Olympic tournament.

"That's what happens when you don't play well," said Sam Hentges after the U.S's 3-2 shootout loss to Slovakia. "We didn't play well in the second and third period and when you get to this level that's what happens."

Canada fell to Sweden, 2-0.

Defending champions ROC put out Olympic debutants Denmark 3-1, while Finland overpowered Switzerland 5-1.

Here's a round up of the quarter-final action and a look ahead at Friday's semi-final schedule.

Slovakia stunned a young American team that entered the quarter-finals on a high, having won their group and notching Team USA's first victory over Canada in Olympic play since 2010.

But the the fairytale came to end when the U.S. went zero-for-five penalty shots in the shootout.

"It’s pretty hard to describe right now. We had our opportunities," said U.S. captain Andy Miele. "It’s unfortunate it’s over. I enjoyed my time."

Miele was the man who had to score after Peter Cehlarik found the net for the first goal of the shootout.

But Patrik Rybar made the save to send the Slovaks through to the last four.

After 17-year-old Juraj Slafkovsky had given Slovakia the lead with his fifth goal of the tournament, Nick Abruzzese levelled late in the first period before Sam Hentges put USA in front.

Slovakia pulled their goalie with less than two minutes to go, and Marek Hrivik scored with 44 seconds remaining to take the game into overtime.

It was Cehlarik who scored the game-winner on U.S. goalie Strauss Mann, and he credited preparation for his vital contribution.

"You watch the goalie from previous games and I called