MILAN – The excitement in the preliminary round of the men’s hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics heats up as Nordic rivals Sweden and Finland face off in a highly anticipated matchup. The teams are set to clash on Friday, Feb. 13, starting at 6:10 a.m. ET, continuing a fierce rivalry that mirrors the intensity seen in the USA-Canada contests. Adding to the pre-game hype, Finland edged out Sweden 4-3 in overtime during last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off, setting the stage for another thrilling encounter.
On this day, eight teams are scheduled to play, with notable matchups including Canada going head-to-head with Switzerland and France seeking their first win against Czechia. Additionally, Slovakia, fresh off a victory, will compete against the host nation, Italy.
Sweden and Finland’s rivalry goes beyond mere statistics, as their players showcased camaraderie on social media by sharing lighthearted videos where they were challenged to “say something nice” about their rivals—highlighting the competitive spirit that characterizes their matchups.
While Sweden and Finland will be enjoying a day of rest, Canada, Switzerland, Czechia, and France will gear up for their second consecutive matches.
Here’s a recap of the Olympic men’s hockey schedule for Friday, Feb. 13:
– 6:10 a.m. ET: Finland vs. Sweden
– 10:40 a.m. ET: Italy vs. Slovakia
– 3:10 p.m. ET: France vs. Czechia
– 8:10 p.m. ET: Canada vs. Switzerland
Fans can catch all the live action streaming on Peacock.
The men’s hockey tournament features 12 teams divided into three groups. The structure includes:
– Group A: Canada, Switzerland, Czechia, France
– Group B: Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, Italy
– Group C: USA, Germany, Latvia, Denmark
Each team competes in a round-robin format against the others in their group. Points are awarded as follows: three points for a win in regulation, two points for an overtime win, one point for an overtime or shootout loss, and zero points for a regulation loss.
As the preliminary round progresses, teams will be ranked based on group placement, total points, goal difference, number of goals scored, and IIHF world ranking. The top four teams, which include the group winners and the best second-place team, earn a bye to the quarterfinals. Teams ranked 5-12 will compete in a qualifying round to secure their spot in the quarterfinals.
The key dates for the playoff rounds are as follows: qualification games on Feb. 17, quarterfinals on Feb. 18, semifinals on Feb. 20, and the bronze and gold medal games scheduled for Feb. 21 and Feb. 22, respectively. With the thrill of competition and the quest for Olympic glory, fans can expect relentless action on the ice.