Canada vs Czechia Hockey: Live Updates & Recap | 2026 Olympics

MILAN – Team Canada emphatically announced its arrival at the 2026 Winter Olympics, routing Czechia 5-0 in their opening Group A matchup at Santagiulia Arena on Thursday, February 12th. A dominant performance fueled by goals from five different players and a stellar shutout performance by goaltender Jordan Binnington sent a clear message to the rest of the tournament: Canada is a serious gold medal contender.

The game, while ultimately lopsided, began as a tightly contested affair. Both teams traded chances in the early stages, but Canada capitalized on a late first-period surge. With just 5.7 seconds remaining in the opening frame, Macklin Celebrini broke the deadlock, tipping home a Cale Makar point shot. The goal, Celebrini’s first of the tournament, ignited the Canadian offense.

Canada continued to press in the second period, adding two more goals to their tally. Mark Stone and Bo Horvat found the back of the net, extending the lead to 3-0. Binnington, meanwhile, was proving impenetrable, turning aside all 13 shots he faced through two periods. The St. Louis Blues netminder, who previously led Canada to a championship at the 4 Nations Face-Off, appeared unfazed by the Olympic pressure.

The third period saw Canada further cement its dominance. Nathan MacKinnon and Nick Suzuki each scored, bringing the final total to five. Suzuki’s goal was particularly noteworthy, marking the fifth different Canadian player to score in the game. By the time the final buzzer sounded, Canada had outshot Czechia 36-26.

Binnington’s 26-save shutout was the story of the game. The performance seemingly settled the debate surrounding Canada’s starting goaltender, a discussion that had persisted leading up to the Olympics. Coach Jon Cooper, when asked about his decision to start Binnington, quipped that he had made up his mind “about 358 days ago,” referencing Binnington’s previous international success.

While the Canadian offense was firing on all cylinders, the team did suffer a minor setback during the game. Josh Morrissey left the game early in the second period and did not return, though the nature and severity of his injury were not immediately clear.

For Czechia, the loss was a disappointing start to their Olympic campaign. Despite a talented roster featuring several NHL forwards, they were unable to generate consistent offensive pressure against a disciplined and determined Canadian defense. Goaltender Lukas Dostal, facing 36 shots, performed admirably, but was ultimately overwhelmed by the relentless Canadian attack. Czechia captain Radko Gudas acknowledged Dostal’s strong performance, stating that the team failed to provide enough support.

The victory marks Canada’s return to Olympic hockey dominance after the NHL did not send players to the Games in 2018 and 2022. Having won gold in both 2010 and 2014, Canada is looking to reclaim its place atop the hockey world. The team’s performance against Czechia suggests they are well-equipped to do so.

Canada will look to continue its winning ways tomorrow against Switzerland in their second preliminary round game. Czechia, meanwhile, will aim to bounce back against France. The early results of the tournament suggest Group A will be highly competitive, with Canada establishing itself as the early favorite.

The game also showcased the poise of 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini. Despite being in his second NHL season, he didn’t appear overwhelmed by the Olympic stage, displaying composure and making effective plays with the puck throughout the game. His goal, coming in the dying seconds of the first period, proved to be a pivotal moment, opening the floodgates for Canada’s offensive onslaught.

Connor McDavid contributed three assists, and Sidney Crosby and Thomas Harley each added two, demonstrating the depth of Canada’s offensive firepower. The team’s ability to generate scoring chances from multiple lines will be a key factor in their pursuit of a gold medal.