Switzerland delivered a composed and clinical performance to defeat host nation Italy 3–0 on Tuesday, advancing to the quarterfinals of the men’s ice hockey tournament at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Captain Nico Hischier led the way with a goal and two assists, playing a role in all three Swiss goals in the qualification-round victory at Rho Arena. Philipp Kurashev opened the scoring early, Roman Josi added a power-play goal later in the first period, and Hischier sealed the win with another power-play strike in the second.
Kurashev wasted little time putting Switzerland in front, scoring just 1:19 into the game after collecting a rebound in the right circle and firing it past Italian goaltender Damian Clara. Switzerland continued to control possession and doubled its lead midway through the first period when Josi scored on the power play from just outside the left circle, with Hischier recording his second assist of the period.
Despite Switzerland outshooting Italy 18–2 in the opening period, Clara’s strong goaltending kept the deficit manageable. The Italian netminder finished with 48 saves in a standout performance, even as his team struggled to generate offense.
Switzerland extended the lead to 3–0 at 5:53 of the second period when Hischier converted a one-timer from close range on the power play. Timo Meier contributed two assists in the victory, helping Switzerland maintain steady offensive pressure throughout the game.
Leonardo Genoni was equally impressive in net for Switzerland, stopping all 20 shots he faced to record his second shutout in three starts at the Olympics. Through three games, Genoni has allowed just three total goals, providing Switzerland with confidence heading into the next round.
The win moves Switzerland, the No. 5 seed after preliminary-round play, into a quarterfinal matchup against Finland on Wednesday afternoon. Switzerland narrowly missed earning a direct bye into the quarterfinals and will now be playing its fifth game in seven days.
The Swiss team, which finished runner-up at each of the past two IIHF World Championships, is seeking its first Olympic men’s hockey medal since winning bronze at the 1948 St. Moritz Games.
Italy, meanwhile, exits the tournament without a victory after losing all four of its games. The host nation has not recorded an Olympic men’s hockey win since the 1998 Nagano Games.
Finland enters the quarterfinal matchup in strong form after winning two of its three preliminary-round games and outscoring opponents 15–1 in its final two contests. The upcoming meeting will mark only the second Olympic matchup between Switzerland and Finland in a tournament featuring NHL players, with Finland having won the previous meeting 5–0 at the 2006 Torino Games.
