Columbus Blue Jackets at the 2026 Winter Olympics: 2/18/26

Yesterday, Elvis Merzlikins and Team Latvia were knocked out of the Olympics after their loss to Team Sweden. The final score was 5-1. That said, I know Elvis Merzlikins made Latvia and Columbus, Ohio, proud, and he'll always be an Olympian. 

Today, in the Men's Hockey Quarter Finals, I have no doubt that Elvis Merzlikins was rooting for Team U.S.A for two reasons. First, Columbus Blue Jackets teammate Zach Werenski is on this team. Second, I have little doubt he was hoping that Team U.S.A. could knock out the team that knocked him and Team Latvia out yesterday, Team Sweden. The game would be a nailbiter, and here I thought they could grow back before NHL play resumed for our Columbus Blue Jackets in Boston next Thursday. Ha! A goal wouldn't be scored in this game until over halfway through Period 2. Dylan Larkin would get his first goal of the Olympics at 11:03, with assists from Jack and Quinn Hughes. This gives Jack three assists so far and brother Quinn five! It would look as if Team U.S.A would shutout Team Sweden, but Mika Zibanejad pumped the brakes on that celebration at 18:29 into Period 3! Yes, Team Sweden opted to pull their goalie, and it worked. Lucas Reymond adds his third assist of the Olympics on the primary, while the secondary became the second assist in the Olympics for Gabriel Landeskog. Zach Werenski and Team U.S.A would push to find another goal with just over a minute and a half to go in regulation, but one couldn't be found, and the two teams would go to a ten-minute sudden-death overtime. Thankfully, Team U.S.A would rebound from allowing the tying goal late in Period 3 as Quinn Hughes would score his first goal of the Olympics at 3:27, just when Team U.S.A needed it most! Matt Boldy gets his first assist in the Olympics on the primary, while Captain Austin Matthews gets his third assist of the Olympics on the secondary. With the 2-1 Win, Team U.S.A will go on to the semifinals on Friday! They play Team Slovakia at 3:00 p.m. Today, Team Slovakia beat Team Germany 6-2. So, even though I have confidence that Team U.S.A can beat Team Slovakia and advance to the Gold-Medal Game, they have to use their day off tomorrow wisely and mentally prepare because Team Slovakia has proven they will put up a fight.  

Also, a bit of sportsmanship, as Team Sweden did not make this an easy game and were toe to toe with Team U.S.A to the end. What an amazing opponent, and congratulations to them for making it this far. 

Good Luck, Zach Werenski, and Team U.S.A!     


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