Canada Starts Strong: Binnington Shines in Olympic Hockey Opener
The highly anticipated Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 have begun, and Team Canada made a resounding statement with a 5-0 victory over Team Czechia. The game, played at Santagiulia Arena, showcased a dominant performance from Canada, highlighted by stellar goaltending from Jordan Binnington and impressive playmaking from Connor McDavid.
Binnington Silences Doubts with 26 Saves
The debate surrounding Canada’s starting goalie was put to rest as Jordan Binnington delivered a masterful performance, stopping all 26 shots he faced. Coach Jon Cooper’s confidence in Binnington, dating back to his championship run at the 4 Nations Face-Off, proved well-placed. “Well, probably about 358 days ago,” Cooper remarked, emphasizing his long-held belief in the netminder. Binnington’s performance was crucial in establishing Canada’s early lead and maintaining momentum throughout the game.
McDavid Orchestrates Offensive Attack
Connor McDavid, one of the NHL’s brightest stars, showcased his exceptional skill with three assists, driving Canada’s offensive engine. Alongside veterans like Sidney Crosby and rising talent Macklin Celebrini, McDavid’s playmaking ability was instrumental in creating scoring opportunities. Crosby and Thomas Harley each added two assists to the Canadian tally.
Goal Scorers Lead Canada to Victory
Macklin Celebrini, Mark Stone, Bo Horvat, Nathan MacKinnon, and Nick Suzuki each found the back of the net for Canada. Celebrini, a 19-year-old center for the San Jose Sharks, made history by becoming the first teenager to score a game-winning goal in an Olympics featuring NHL players. His goal, a tip-in with just seconds remaining in the first period, set the tone for Canada’s dominant performance.
Czechia Fights Hard, But Falls Short
Despite the lopsided score, Team Czechia put up a valiant effort. Goalie Lukas Dostal made 31 saves, earning praise from his captain, Radko Gudas. “He showed it last the few times he played at international level, he shows me every game in Anaheim that he is a world-class goalie,” Gudas stated. However, Czechia struggled to capitalize on their opportunities, and Canada’s relentless attack proved too much to overcome.
Where to Watch Olympic Hockey
For fans eager to follow the Olympic hockey action, games are being broadcast on NBCUniversal’s Peacock, ICI Télé, CBC Gem, RDS2, and CBC. Canada’s next game is against Switzerland on Friday at 3:10 p.m. ET, while Czechia will face Team France on Friday at 10:40 a.m. ET.
Key Takeaways
- Jordan Binnington’s stellar performance solidified his position as Canada’s starting goalie.
- Connor McDavid’s playmaking ability fueled Canada’s offensive attack.
- Macklin Celebrini made history with his game-winning goal.
- Team Czechia showed resilience but ultimately fell short against a dominant Canadian side.
Canada’s victory sets the stage for an exciting Olympic hockey tournament, and fans around the world will be watching to see if they can continue their winning streak and secure a third consecutive gold medal with NHL players.
