Canadian ice hockey fans had plenty to cheer about on February 12, 2026, as both the men’s and women’s national teams delivered emphatic 5-0 victories in their respective Winter Olympics openers in Milan. It was a day to remember at the Milano Santagiulia and Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arenas, with the red-and-white showcasing their trademark blend of skill, speed, and depth on the world’s biggest stage.
Let’s start with the men, who wasted no time making a statement in their Group A opener at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Facing a Czechia squad that boasted a handful of NHL regulars, Canada imposed their will from the first puck drop, eventually skating away with a 5-0 shutout. The goals came from a who’s who of Canadian talent: Macklin Celebrini, Mark Stone, Bo Horvat, Nathan MacKinnon, and Nick Suzuki each found the back of the net. The lone blemish on an otherwise perfect night was the early exit of defenseman Josh Morrissey, who left the game in the second period with an apparent leg injury and did not return.
The spotlight shone brightest on 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini, who opened the scoring by tipping home a Cale Makar point shot with just 5.7 seconds left in the first period. Despite his youth and the pressure of lining up alongside stars like Connor McDavid and Tom Wilson, Celebrini looked every bit the seasoned pro. "He looked composed and was making poised plays with the puck all over the ice," noted observers, who were quick to point out that any questions about his readiness for the Olympic spotlight were put to rest—at least for now.
In the Canadian net, Jordan Binnington answered his critics in style. The decision to start the St. Louis Blues netminder over the in-form Logan Thompson had sparked debate across the hockey-mad nation, but Binnington’s 26-save shutout was a masterclass in focus and rebound control. As Team Canada GM Doug Armstrong put it, "That was the most interesting part. Because my comfort level with him doesn’t waver. Because I get to work with him every day. And any success I’ve had in St. Louis is on his back." Armstrong also highlighted that Binnington’s selection was a unanimous decision among the coaching staff, a choice now thoroughly vindicated by his Olympic performance.
Connor McDavid, making his Olympic debut, was everywhere—delivering three assists, firing a game-high six shots on goal, and setting the tone with a thunderous early hit on Czech defenseman Lukas Sedlak. Head coach Jon Cooper’s strategy of balancing the lines paid dividends, with McDavid, MacKinnon, and Sidney Crosby each centering separate units. The result? Relentless pace and pressure that wore down the Czech defense as the game progressed. Canada’s power-play prowess was on display as well, with MacKinnon converting a man-advantage opportunity thanks to slick work from McDavid and Crosby.
On the blue line, the loss of Morrissey forced some quick adjustments, with Shea Theodore stepping up to partner Colton Parayko. The team’s defensive depth was tested but held firm, limiting Czechia to just 26 shots and keeping the front of Binnington’s net clear. If Morrissey is unable to suit up for the next contest, expect Travis Sanheim to draw into the lineup as Canada prepares for a tougher test against Switzerland, who opened their own tournament with a 4-0 win over France.
After the final buzzer, the customary Olympic handshake line underscored the sportsmanship and mutual respect between the teams. The Canadian players huddled around head coach Cooper for a quick debrief—no doubt already looking ahead to the next challenge. With three points in Group A, Canada sits atop the standings alongside Switzerland, with France and Czechia trailing behind.
Meanwhile, over at the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena, the Canadian women’s team delivered a similarly dominant performance, blanking Finland 5-0 to secure second place in Group A and a quarter-final date with Germany. The defending Olympic champions bounced back in style after a shocking 5-0 shutout loss to the U.S. in their previous game—the first time in history they’d been held scoreless at the Olympics.
Emily Clark was the star of the show, netting two goals in the third period, including a wraparound beauty that left the Finnish defense flat-footed. Jennifer Gardiner, Daryl Watts, and Kristin O’Neill also contributed goals, while Sarah Fillier and Julia Gosling chipped in key assists. Gardiner opened the scoring in the first period, finishing off a slick no-look pass from Gosling, while Watts doubled the lead in the second before O’Neill’s shot deflected in off a Finnish defender for the third. Clark’s late-game heroics sealed the deal, sending the Canadians into the knockout stages brimming with confidence.
Canada’s win came despite the continued absence of captain Marie-Philip Poulin, who missed her second straight game with a lower-body injury sustained earlier in the tournament. Head coach Troy Ryan provided a cautiously optimistic update: "She skated this morning with the goalie, the goalie coach and our medical team. I didn’t watch, but she seemed positive and optimistic. It doesn’t mean she is going to play in the quarter-finals, but it’s trending in the right direction. My guess is she will be back at some point, but right now it’s to be determined." Poulin remains just one goal shy of the all-time Olympic scoring record—a milestone the team and fans alike will be eager to see her chase if she’s cleared for the quarter-finals.
With the win, Canada set up a quarter-final clash against Germany, the runners-up from Group B, scheduled for February 14 at 16:40 CET. Finland, meanwhile, dropped to fourth in Group A and will face Switzerland in their own quarter-final. Coach Ryan spoke highly of the upcoming German opposition: "We expect a good game. I know a couple of their players from coaching in the PWHL. Their coach [Jeff Macleod] is from my hometown, so he is someone I’m very familiar with. We expect a good game."
The Canadian women’s bounce-back was particularly impressive given the adversity they’d faced: a rescheduled match due to a norovirus outbreak in the Finnish camp, the absence of their iconic leader, and the pressure of defending their Olympic title. Yet, the team’s depth and composure shone through, with every line contributing and the defense locking things down in front of their goaltenders.
As the Olympic ice hockey tournaments heat up, both Canadian squads have laid down early markers. The men look poised for a deep run, but stiffer tests await as they prepare to face Switzerland and, further down the line, potential showdowns with the likes of Sweden or the U.S. The women, meanwhile, have shaken off their historic defeat and appear ready to defend their crown, especially if Poulin can return to action. One thing’s for sure: Canadian hockey fans will be glued to their screens as the drama continues to unfold in Milan.