Team Canada has won their first game of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo in men’s hockey. On Thursday, Canada defeated Czechia 5-0. St. Louis Blues netminder Jordan Binnington of Richmond Hill, Ontario recorded 26 saves for the shutout. Binnington made 11 saves in the first period, 11 saves in the second period and four saves in the third period.
Offensively, it was a strong game for Edmonton Oilers centre and Canadian assistant captain Connor McDavid of Richmond Hill. McDavid had three assists. Two other Canadians had a multi-point game. Canadian Olympic gold medalist Sidney Crosby of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, and Dallas Stars defensemen Thomas Harley of Brampton, Ontario had two assists each. The five Canadian goal scorers were San Jose Sharks centre Macklin Celebrini of North Vancouver, British Columbia, Montreal Canadiens centre Nick Suzuki of London, Ontario, Colorado Avalanche centre Nathan MacKinnon of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Vegas Golden Knights right winger Mark Stone of Winnipeg, Manitoba and New York Islanders centre Bo Horvat of London. Ontario. Crosby won a gold medal for Canada at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver and the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.
Canada needs to be praised for their defensive play. The Czechs did not test Binnington very much throughout the contest. Remember, the last time Canada won a gold medal at the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, they did not give up a goal in the semifinal to the United States or the gold medal game versus Sweden.
