Canada cruises by Czechia, USA dominates Latvia
Opening games for Canada and USA
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
