Crosby Sets Olympic Record as Canada Completes Perfect Preliminary Round
MILAN – Sidney Crosby continues to add to his legendary career, etching his name further into the record books as Canada completed a dominant run through the preliminary round of the men’s hockey tournament at the Milano-Cortina Olympics. Canada dismantled France 10-2 on Sunday, finishing with a perfect 3-0-0 record in Group A.
The 38-year-old Crosby registered a goal and two assists in the victory, surpassing Jarome Iginla’s NHL-era Canadian record for points in Olympic play with 16. The milestone came in a game where Canada showcased its offensive firepower, with contributions from across the roster.
“Our intentions are good,” Crosby said after the game. “Still areas we want to clean up.”
Macklin Celebrini added two goals and an assist, while Connor McDavid and Mark Stone each tallied a goal and two assists. Cale Makar, Tom Wilson, Devon Toews, Bo Horvat, and Brandon Hagel also found the back of the net for the Canadians.
McDavid’s Record-Breaking Performance
McDavid’s three-point performance also marked a significant achievement. He now holds the Canadian NHLer record for points in a single Olympic Games, with nine points across nine periods, breaking the previous mark of eight set by Jonathan Toews in 2010.
Canada’s offensive onslaught was too much for France to handle. Floran Douay and Sacha Treille scored for the French, but they were unable to contain the relentless Canadian attack. Julian Junca allowed six goals on 33 shots before being replaced by Antoine Keller, who conceded three more.
Physical Play and Team Unity
The game wasn’t without its physical edge. Tom Wilson was ejected after a fight with Pierre Crinon in the third period, sparked by a forearm to the face of Nathan MacKinnon. Canadian head coach Jon Cooper emphasized the team’s willingness to defend each other.
“That’s a big part of what we’re all about,” Cooper said. “These guys go through a wall for each other. It’s fun to watch… I think we’re used to a lot more than that happening. It was pretty harmless in the grand scheme of things, but that’s Willie.”
Dominant Group Play and Quarterfinal Outlook
Canada’s dominant performance throughout the group stage positions them favorably for the quarterfinal round. They finished atop Group A with a plus-17 goal differential and 20 goals scored. They are likely to secure the No. 1 seed in the elimination bracket, pending the outcome of the United States’ game against Germany.
Switzerland secured second place in Group A with a 4-3 overtime victory over Czechia. Canada opened the tournament with a 5-0 win over Czechia and followed it up with a 5-1 triumph against Switzerland.
Cooper stressed the importance of continued improvement. “It was about, ‘Are we getting better as a team?’” he said. “‘How are you playing without the puck?’ I don’t care about the rest of the stuff. You want to win this tournament, you better be giving up one or two goals a game.”
Lineup Notes
Canada was without injured defenseman Josh Morrissey, and Brad Marchand was a scratch for the second consecutive game, though Cooper indicated he expects Marchand to be available for the quarterfinals.
The Canadians’ strong performance against France underscored their status as a tournament favorite. The team’s depth, skill, and willingness to play a physical game will be key as they navigate the knockout stages. Canada now awaits their quarterfinal opponent, focused on continuing their pursuit of Olympic gold.
