Slovakia, Denmark, Switzerland and Canada kept their Olympic hopes alive in the men’s hockey tournament on Tuesday.
In the qualification playoffs, Slovakia shut out Germany, Denmark edged Latvia, Switzerland took down the Czech Republic and Canada made easy work of China to move on to the quarterfinals.
Slovakia’s next matchup will come against Team USA at 11:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Denmark will face off against the ROC at 1:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday. Switzerland will square off with Finland at 3:40 a.m. ET.
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Libor Hudacek, Peter Cehlarik, Michael Kristof and Marek Hrivik netted one goal apiece for Slovakia. Goaltender Patrik Rybar made 21 saves to blank Germany in a 4-0 Slovakian victory.
While Slovakia went just 1-2-0 in Group C play, Team USA remains unbeaten with wins over China, Canada and Germany. The Americans have a plus-11 goal differential, compared to an even 12 goals scored and allowed for Slovakia through four contests.
Denmark and Latvia each exchanged a goal apiece through the first two periods to take a 2-2 tie into the final 20 minutes. But it was Denmark's Markus Lauridsen who tallied an early goal in the third that was the eventual game-winner in a 3-2 victory for Denmark.
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The Swiss ripped off four goals in a row after falling behind 1-0 to the Czech Republic to pull out an eventual 4-2 win. Captain Raphael Diaz had a goal and an assist while Sven Andrighetto dished out two helpers.
Canada dominated China 7-2 to advance o the next round. Adam Tambellini recorded two goals and three assists, Jordan Weal recorded a goal and two assets and Maxime Noreau notched three assists in the win.
The winner of Team USA-Slovakia will advance to the semifinals, where they will face either Sweden or Canada.
The winner of ROC-Denmark will face Finland or Switzerland
