Canada cruises by Czechia, USA dominates Latvia

Canada

Canada came out and showed why they are the team to beat in the 2026 Winter Olympics, beating Czechia 5-0. They were just explosive, starting with Macklin Celebrini (the youngest player on Canada at 19 years old) scoring the first goal with 5.7 seconds left in the first period. It just snowballed for Canada, getting goals by Mark Stone at the 6:40 mark in the second period, Bo Horvat at the 17:26 mark in the second period, and goals in the third period by Nathan MacKinnon at the 7:42 mark on a power play, and Nick Suzuki at the 13:22 mark. Connor McDavid finished with three assists, Sydney Crosby and Thomas Harley each had two assists, and Brad Marchand, Mitch Marner, and Cale Makar each had one. Jordan Bennington finished the game with a shutout on 26 of 26. Canada will play Switzerland tomorrow, Friday, February 13th at 3:10 PM. Canada showed why they are the favorite to win the gold medal with their speed, skill, and willingness to hit other players, which makes them a headache to go up against. The only other team that could challenge them is the USA. 

USA

USA was in a dog fight with Latvia in the first period, but then they settled as the game went on, beating Latvia 5-1. USA got out quickly with a goal from Brady Tkachuk at the 5:29 mark in the first period. Latvia answered back after a successful coaches' challenge for an offside on USA, and it was scored by Renars Krastenbergs at the 7:25 mark in the first period. In the second period, USA pulled away from Latvia, with Brock Nelson scoring at the 10:38 mark in the second period, Tage Thompson on a power-play at the 17:35 mark of the second period, and Brock Nelson again at the 19:48 mark in the second period. Auston Matthews scored on a power-play goal at the 2:35 mark in the third period. Jack Hughes finished with 3 assists, Matthew Tkachuk and Jack Eichel each had two assists, and Quinn Hughes, Vincent Trocheck, and Zach Werenski each had one. Zemgus Girgensons had the lone assist for Latvia. Connor Hellebuyck saved 17 of 18 shots. The USA has a day off tomorrow, but returns to action Saturday, February 14th at 3:10 pm, when they will take on Denmark. USA started slow but really picked it up and showed why they can compete with Canada for the gold medal.

Point leaders

Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers, Canada)

0 goals, 3 assists, 3 points

Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils, USA)

0 goals, 3 assists, 3 points

Brock Nelson (Colorado Avalanche, USA)

2 goals, 0 assists, 2 points

Sydney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins, Canada)

0 goals, 2 assists, 2 points

Thomas Harley (Dallas Stars, Canada)

0 goals, 2 assists, 2 points

Matthew Tkachuck (Florida Panthers, USA)

0 goals, 2 assists, 2 points

Jack Eichel (Las Vegas Golden Knights, USA)

0 goals, 2 assists, 2 points)

Macklin Celenbrini (San Jose Sharks, Canada)

1 goal, 0 assist, 1 point

Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators, USA)

1 goal, 0 assists, 1 point

Mark Stone (Las Vegas Golden Knights, Canada)

1 goal, 0 assists, 1 point

Tage Thompson (Buffalo Sabres, USA)

1 goal, 0 assists, 1 point

Bo Horvat (New York Islanders, Canada)

1 goal, 0 assists, 1 point

Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs, USA)

1 goal, 0 assists, 1 point

Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche, Canada)

1 goal, 0 assists, 1 point

Nick Suzuki (Montreal Canadians, Canada)

1 goal, 0 assists, 1 point

Brad Marchand (Florida Panthers, Canada)

0 goals, 1 assist, 1 point

Mitch Marner (Las Vegas Golden Knights, Canada)
0 goals, 1 assist, 1 point

Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche, Canada)

0 goals, 1 assist, 1 point

Quinn Hughes (Minnesota Wild, USA)

0 goals, 1 assist, 1 point

Vincent Trocheck (New York Rangers, USA)

0 goals, 1 assist, 1 point

Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets, USA)

0 goals, 1 assist, 1 point