Canada Dominates France as Celebrini Makes Olympic History
Team Canada delivered a statement performance on the ice today, dismantling Team France 10-2 and moving closer to claiming the top seed in the men’s hockey tournament at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Cortina. The star of the night was 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks, who made history as the first NHL player to score on a penalty shot at the Olympics. His goal opened the floodgates, putting Canada ahead 5-1 in the second period and setting the tone for a dominant display.
Canada’s offense was relentless. Early in the first period, Tom Wilson struck first, only for France to respond immediately through Floran Douray. But Canada quickly regained control with a slick 3-on-1 play that saw Devon Toews finish off a setup by Sidney Crosby and Mark Stone. Stone then added a short-handed goal just before the period ended, extending Canada’s lead and demonstrating the depth and versatility of this lineup.
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In the second period, Cale Makar scored on the power play and then came Celebrini’s historic penalty shot, a moment that will be remembered long after these Games. He later added a second goal in the third, contributing to a remarkable personal and team performance. Connor McDavid, Crosby and Stone all chipped in with goals and multiple assists, while Bo Horvat, Brandon Hagel and others rounded out a scoring effort that showed no mercy. Goaltender Jordan Binnington also played a key role, making 12 crucial saves to maintain Canada’s dominance.
France struggled to keep pace, managing only two goals through Sacha Treille and Douray. The French team went winless in the preliminary round, highlighting the stark difference in experience and talent levels between the two sides. Canada, meanwhile, remains unbeaten and holds the edge over the United States for the top seed due to superior goal differential, making a strong case for a favorable draw in the knockout stages.
This game isn’t just about a lopsided score; it underscores Canada’s depth, experience and strategic execution on the Olympic stage. Celebrini’s historic penalty shot is symbolic of the next generation of NHL talent rising on the global stage and it’s a reminder of how quickly young stars can leave their mark. With the preliminary round now complete, Canada’s path to the quarterfinals is clear and their confidence heading into the elimination rounds is undeniable.
Stay with us as we continue to track every move on the ice, every historic goal and every twist in this Olympic hockey tournament. Follow closely for the latest updates, in-depth analysis and all the action from Cortina 2026.
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