The stage was set for a classic Olympic showdown as Group A of the men’s ice hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, drew to a close on Sunday morning. The Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena buzzed with anticipation as Team Canada, the undisputed favorites and only unbeaten squad in the group, faced off against a gritty but outmatched French team. With a 10:40 a.m. ET puck drop, fans across North America tuned in via CNBC, Peacock, DIRECTV, and CBC, eager to see if Canada would maintain its perfect record or if France could pull off an Olympic miracle.
Coming into the contest, Canada had already locked up a quarterfinal bye, boasting a sparkling 2-0 record and a monstrous +9 goal differential. Their dominance in the preliminary round was nothing short of emphatic: a 5-0 shutout against Czechia and a 5-1 dismantling of Switzerland. In both games, the Canadians showcased their depth and firepower, with five different players scoring in each outing and outshooting their opponents by a combined 75-51. The blue line, anchored by Cale Makar and Thomas Harley, stifled opposing offenses, while goaltenders Jordan Binnington and Logan Thompson posted two of the best save percentages in the tournament.
Connor McDavid, widely regarded as one of the world’s premier hockey talents, led the charge with six points (one goal and five assists) through the opening two games, tied for the tournament lead. Nathan MacKinnon was right behind with four points (two goals, two assists), while veterans like Sidney Crosby and the sensational 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini added both poise and punch to the lineup. Celebrini, making his Olympic debut, made an immediate impact by scoring Canada’s first goal of the tournament and adding another against Switzerland. According to tournament stats, "Connor McDavid had another three point game in Friday’s 5-1 victory over Switzerland, opening the scoring early before setting up two more goals for Nathan MacKinnon and Thomas Harley."
France, meanwhile, entered the matchup with an 0-2 record and little to lose. Their Olympic journey began with a 4-0 loss to Switzerland, where they were outshot 43-27, followed by a 6-3 defeat to Czechia, managing just 12 shots but converting three of them. The French roster featured only one active NHL player, Alexandre Texier of the Montreal Canadiens, who had yet to find the back of the net in Milan. Their three goals in the tournament came from Louis Boudon (two) and Hugo Gallet (one). Veterans Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Stephane Da Costa provided leadership, but the squad’s overall depth paled in comparison to the Canadian juggernaut.
As the puck dropped, it didn’t take long for Canada to assert themselves. Within the first period, they registered four shots in the opening minutes, signaling their intent. Team Canada’s top line, featuring Macklin Celebrini, Tom Wilson, and Connor McDavid, buzzed around the French net, while the second line of Nick Suzuki, Nathan MacKinnon, and Brandon Hagel kept the pressure relentless. The defensive pairings, led by Devon Toews and Cale Makar, pinched aggressively, keeping France hemmed in their own zone.
The opening goal came courtesy of Tom Wilson, who notched his first of the Winter Games, finally breaking through after a handful of promising chances. But France, to their credit, didn’t fold. Just 11 seconds later, Floran Douay stunned the Canadians by tying the game 1-1, capitalizing on a rare lapse in the Canadian defense. The quick response drew cheers from the French bench and reminded everyone that Olympic hockey can be full of surprises.
Unfazed, Canada ramped up the intensity. A swift transition led to a 3-on-1 rush, culminating in a goal by Devon Toews to restore the Canadian lead. The Canadians continued to pepper French goaltender Antoine Keller, and just before the horn sounded to end the first period, Mark Stone seized a shorthanded breakaway opportunity, slipping a backhander past Keller to give Canada a 3-1 cushion. The first period stats told the story: 17 shots for Canada, just 6 for France.
As the second period began, France found themselves with a brief power play but struggled to generate quality chances against Binnington, who had already proven his mettle with a 26-save shutout in the tournament opener. Canada quickly regained control, drawing penalties and cycling the puck with ease. At 14:22 of the second, Celebrini was held back on a near-breakaway, earning Canada a power play and another chance to stretch the lead.
The Canadian roster, a who’s who of NHL stars, continued to dazzle. Connor McDavid, already with six points in the tournament, orchestrated play after play, finding teammates in space and keeping the French defenders on their heels. Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby, both with multiple points already in Milan, showcased their trademark chemistry and vision. Celebrini, the teenage phenom, nearly added another goal to his Olympic tally, while defensemen like Cale Makar and Shea Theodore joined the rush at every opportunity.
France, for their part, battled valiantly. Alexandre Texier, though scoreless, displayed flashes of the skill that earned him a spot with the Canadiens, while Louis Boudon and Hugo Gallet tried to keep the offense afloat. Goaltender Antoine Keller faced a barrage of shots but made several impressive saves to keep the scoreline respectable.
The game’s tempo slowed somewhat in the latter stages, with Canada content to control possession and avoid unnecessary risks. Both coaches rotated their lines, giving depth players valuable Olympic ice time. The French, already assured of a spot in the play-off qualification round regardless of the result, focused on building momentum and experience for their upcoming challenge on February 17.
With the second period winding down, Canada maintained their 3-1 lead, outshooting France by a wide margin and demonstrating the depth and discipline that make them favorites for gold. The Group A finale may not have produced a shocking upset, but it offered a showcase of Canadian skill and a glimpse of France’s fighting spirit on the world stage.
As the buzzer sounded to end the period, fans were left with little doubt about Canada’s credentials. With a perfect group stage record, a +9 goal differential, and a roster brimming with NHL stars, Team Canada heads to the quarterfinals with confidence sky-high. France, meanwhile, can take pride in their resilience and look ahead to the play-off qualification round, hoping to turn experience into results.
The Olympic journey rolls on, but for now, the hockey world watches as Canada continues its march toward gold, while France aims to write a new chapter in their underdog story.