Milano Cortina 2026: Day 3 Highlights & Emerging Stars
The men’s hockey tournament at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 is heating up! Day 3 delivered thrilling matchups and showcased the incredible talent on display. From Canada’s dominant performance to Finland’s bounce-back win, here are five key takeaways from the action.
Canada Unleashes Offensive Powerhouse
Team Canada demonstrated its offensive firepower, defeating Team Switzerland 5-1. Coach Jon Cooper made a bold move, assembling a line featuring three of the NHL’s top scorers: Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers), Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche), and 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks). This dynamic trio quickly made an impact, with Celebrini scoring off an assist from MacKinnon and MacKinnon later netting a goal assisted by McDavid and Celebrini.
“I mean, three really good players,” McDavid commented, understating the obvious. The question now is: can anyone contain this Canadian offensive juggernaut?
Finland’s Panthers Connection Fuels Victory
Team Finland rebounded from an earlier loss with a convincing 4-1 victory over Team Sweden. The winning goal came courtesy of Anton Lundell, set up by fellow Florida Panthers players Eetu Luostarinen and Niko Mikkola. The Panthers’ influence was evident throughout the game, with Lundell, Luostarinen, and Mikkola playing key roles on Finland’s penalty kill, which went 5-for-6.
Despite a late injury to Mikkola, Finland delivered a strong performance, with Juuse Saros making 34 saves. This win was crucial for Finland as they look to advance in the tournament.
Slovakia Secures Group B Lead
Slovakia defeated Team Italy 3-2, moving into sole possession of first place in Group B. A strong second period, where they outshot Italy 13-3, proved decisive. Goalie Stanislav Skorvanek was instrumental in preserving the lead, making several key saves. With just one point needed against Sweden on Saturday, Slovakia is poised to win the group and secure a bye to the quarterfinals.
Czechia Overcomes Early Setback
After a tough 5-0 loss to Canada, Team Czechia responded with a 6-3 victory over Team France. Despite falling behind 3-2 in the second period, Czechia rallied, fueled by goals from Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak and Matej Stransky. A win against Team Switzerland on Sunday would clinch second place in Group A and potentially a bye to the quarterfinals.
Rising Stars Shine
Beyond the established NHL stars, the tournament is showcasing emerging talent. Players like Lucas Raymond are making a name for themselves with their skill and determination. Keep an eye on these rising stars as the competition intensifies.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights from the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026! NHL.com provides comprehensive coverage of the men’s hockey action.
