Two of the leading contenders for Olympic gold wasted little time asserting themselves on the ice in Milan, as Canada and the United States each began their men’s hockey tournaments with decisive victories on Thursday.
Playing in front of an energized crowd at the Santagiulia Arena, Canada delivered a commanding 5-0 shutout over the Czech Republic, while the United States recovered from an early wobble to defeat Latvia 5-1 later in the evening.
Canada Sends Early Statement
Widely viewed as a tournament favorite, Canada showcased both depth and discipline in its opening performance. Goaltender Jordan Binnington was flawless between the pipes, stopping all 26 shots he faced to secure the shutout.
Nineteen-year-old standout Macklin Celebrini opened the scoring in the first period, signaling Canada’s intent from the outset. Veteran forwards Mark Stone and Bo Horvat extended the lead, while Nathan MacKinnon and Nick Suzuki added goals to complete the rout.
Canada controlled much of the pace, combining structured defensive play with quick transitions that repeatedly put pressure on the Czech defense. The balanced scoring effort underscored the team’s depth — a hallmark of past Canadian Olympic squads.
United States Finds Its Rhythm
The United States faced a sterner early test against Latvia, which struck first and briefly unsettled the Americans. However, the U.S. squad regrouped quickly, tightening its defensive coverage and increasing offensive pressure.
After equalizing, the Americans gradually took control of the game, eventually pulling away with five unanswered goals. Improved puck movement and aggressive forechecking proved decisive, as the U.S. capitalized on scoring opportunities in the latter stages.
The win provides momentum for a team also considered a strong gold medal contender, particularly given its blend of young talent and experienced leadership.
Early Signals in a Competitive Field
Thursday’s results highlighted the depth and quality expected throughout the tournament. Both Canada and the United States demonstrated why they are widely viewed as favorites, combining offensive firepower with solid defensive structure.
While it remains early in the competition, the opening victories set the tone for what promises to be a tightly contested race for gold. As the group stage unfolds in Milan, both North American powers will aim to build on strong starts and fine-tune their systems ahead of the knockout rounds.
With the Olympic stage set in Italy’s winter showcase, hockey fans can expect the intensity to rise as medal hopes begin to take shape.