Canada has historically been a dominant presence in men's hockey at the Olympics. But for the second Games in a row, it will not compete for gold or silver.
Perhaps even more stunning, however, was that for the first time since 2006, it will not even get the chance to compete for a medal. On Wednesday, Canada was blanked 2-0 by Sweden, which advances to the semifinals to take on the ROC.
MORE: Canada vs. Sweden final score, results
This year's Canadian squad joins that 2006 team as the only two eliminated in the quarterfinals. The 1992 Albertville Olympics were the first to have a quarterfinal round.
Canada and Sweden played at an even level through much of the first two periods, but a costly turnover in Canada's defensive end gave Lucas Wallmark a chance to score, which he did, putting Sweden up 1-0 with just under 10 minutes left.
Anton Lander added an empty-netter to give Sweden a 2-0 cushion with less than two minutes remaining, and the defense remained staunch to keep Canada from scoring with the extra attacker.
MORE: Canada curling schedule
Though Sweden entered the game as the higher seed, the end result was still a stunner as many expected Canada to compete for a medal coming into the Games.
And especially after the United States was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Slovakia, many believed Canada to be the presumptive gold favorite. Instead, it will be the first time since the 2006 games that neither Team USA nor Canada earns a medal.
MORE: Olympics medal count 2022
Given the expectations of the team, the hockey world was shook by the end result of Sweden knocking off Canada.
Sweden beats Canada in the QF. Claude was playing not to lose for half the game and it cost him. To not ride Kent Johnson in the 3rd is inexcusable.
— World Hockey Report (@worldhockeyrpt) February 16, 2022
Slovakia beats the U.S.
— Will Bardwell (@willbardwell) February 16, 2022
Sweden knocks off Canada.
Tough 24 hours for North American influence in Europe, which seems about right.
The U.S. and Canada are eliminated in the #Olympics men's hockey quarterfinals. Slovakia, ROC, Finland and Sweden advance to the final four.
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) February 16, 2022
Woof.
Ah man, that’s too bad…Sweden takes down Canada 2-0 — advance to semis.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 16, 2022
Ah well. Good try, boys. Rest of the tourney is probably better off without CAN/USA discourse anyway. See you all for the game that matters most tonight
— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) February 16, 2022
Congratulations to #Sweden for eliminating #Canada from the men's Hockey tournament at the Olympics!
— Post2Post 📺 (@Post2PostShow) February 16, 2022
2 Olympics in a row that #NHL players are not there, and 2 Olympics in a row where Canada underperforms.