Canada kicked off the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic men’s hockey tournament with a dominant 5-0 victory over Czechia at the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan.[1] Jordan Binnington earned a shutout with 26 saves, while 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini, the youngest player on the Canadian roster, scored the opening goal with just 5.7 seconds left in the first period.[2] The win underscores Canada’s status as tournament favorites, boasting a roster packed with NHL stars like Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby.
The game showcased Canada’s depth and defensive solidity from the outset, holding Czechia scoreless despite opportunities for stars like David Pastrnak. McDavid tallied three assists, setting up key plays that highlighted the team’s offensive firepower. This marks the NHL’s return to the Olympics since 2014, and Canada looks poised to reclaim gold after bronze in 2018.
Celebrini’s late strike ignites the first period
The opening frame was a tense affair, with both teams trading chances in a back-and-forth battle. Canada outshot Czechia but couldn’t break through until the dying seconds. Celebrini deflected a Cale Makar point shot past Lukas Dostal at 19:59, assisted by McDavid, who forced a turnover to spark the play.[1]
Binnington proved his mettle early, making a left-pad stop on Michal Kempny and smothering David Kampf’s rebound attempt to preserve the shutout. Dostal, Czechia’s netminder, faced pressure but stood tall until Celebrini’s tip. The period ended 1-0, setting the tone for Canada’s control.
Canada dominated possession, generating high-danger chances, but Czechia pushed back with physical play. The youngest player on the roster, Celebrini, drew praise for his poise, living up to the hype from our pre-tournament roster analysis.
This goal echoed Celebrini’s rapid rise, as detailed in coverage of his Olympic roster selection. It put Canada ahead and deflated Czechia heading into the middle frame.
The physicality ramped up, with hits and battles along the boards foreshadowing the intensity ahead. Fans in Milan witnessed NHL-caliber hockey right away.
Second period surge builds insurmountable lead
Canada poured it on in the second, with Mark Stone tipping a Mitch Marner saucer pass at 6:40 to make it 2-0. Marner’s creativity shone after Crosby won a puck battle. Binnington robbed Pastrnak in the slot shortly after, keeping the sheet clean.
Bo Horvat extended the lead to 3-0 at 17:26 on a shorthanded breakaway, fed by Brad Marchand at the red line. Horvat deked forehand-backhand through Dostal’s pads. The shortie highlighted Canada’s penalty kill prowess.
Czechia tested Binnington repeatedly, but he was equal to the task. Canada tilted the ice, outshooting their foes and controlling play. For full recap details, check the official NHL game summary.
Dostal made several stellar stops, including on McDavid, but couldn’t stem the tide. The period showcased Canada’s transition game.
Power play magic and empty-netter close it out
The third period saw Nathan MacKinnon roof a tic-tac-toe power-play goal at 7:42, with assists from McDavid and Crosby—a repeat of their chemistry from last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off.[2] The same trio nearly connected earlier in a disallowed goal.
Nick Suzuki sealed the rout at 15:23, tipping a McDavid pass into the empty net for his second point. McDavid’s three assists underscored his playmaking dominance, with five shots on goal.
Binnington faced 26 shots total, earning MVP nods in the opener. Czechia pulled Dostal late, but Canada held firm. Shots favored Canada throughout.
Team Canada now sits atop Group A undefeated. Olympic.ca coverage highlights their podium aspirations.
Standout stars and key stats
- Jordan Binnington: 26 saves, shutout—clutch stops defined the win.
- Connor McDavid: 3 assists, 5 SOG—maestro of the offense.
- Macklin Celebrini: 1G, Olympic debut at 19 years old.
- Nathan MacKinnon, Mark Stone, Bo Horvat, Nick Suzuki: Each 1G.
Canada outshot Czechia and dominated 5v5 play. Binnington’s .1000 SV% was flawless.
Czechia’s Dostal stopped 26 but faced an onslaught. Pastrnak was held in check.
Group A rival Switzerland shuts out France
In other Group A action, Switzerland blanked France 4-0, led by Timo Meier’s two third-period goals.[3] Damien Riat scored 55 seconds in on the power play, J.J. Moser added one at 3:06.
Leonardo Genoni stopped all 27 shots for the shutout, backing a deep run from last spring’s Worlds. Meier called it a “mature performance.”[3]
Switzerland outshot France 43-27, with boisterous fans cheering. J.J. Moser noted early goals brought “comfort and confidence.”
Genoni downplayed the shutout: “It’s a great start… perfect for us.” Nino Niederreiter eyes poking the Canadian bear next.[3]
This sets up a blockbuster Canada-Switzerland clash on Friday.
Canada’s statement win reaffirms their gold-medal pedigree, having triumphed in 2010 and 2014 with NHL stars. With McDavid, Crosby, and young guns like Celebrini firing, the path to the podium looks clear. Watch for adjustments from Czechia and rising threats like Switzerland as Group A heats up—what it means for the championship is Canada’s depth could carry them all the way.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.