Slovakia defeated Germany relatively easily to become the first team to advance to the Olympic medal rounds, raising questions about the implications for the semifinal pairings. If all top-seeded teams progress, the semifinal matchups could feature Canada against Finland and the USA against Slovakia. The scenario poses interesting possibilities, particularly if Sweden were to defeat the USA while Canada and Finland win their respective matches, setting up a potential semifinal between Finland and Slovakia that would have a significant appeal to Finnish hockey fans despite their initial loss to Slovakia in the tournament opener.

Furthermore, the article considers the potential for a Finland and Sweden matchup in the semifinals, which could occur if Finland wins its game alongside defeats for both Canada and the USA in their quarterfinals. The Finnish team, known as the Lions, faces a challenging path ahead, but the prospect of facing esteemed rivals like Sweden adds to the tension and excitement of the tournament. With the preliminary rounds concluded, the focus now shifts to how these matchups will materialize and their potential implications for the teams involved.

In summary, Slovakia's advancement shakes up the expected outcomes of the quarterfinals and creates intriguing possible semifinal pairings that could ignite fierce competition and national pride among the participating nations. The dynamics of winning and losing among the top contenders will significantly shape the remaining stages of this Olympic hockey tournament.