Celebrini Dominates as Canada Triumphs in Olympic Hockey Opener

On February 12, 2026, Macklin Celebrini showcased his talent as he scored Canada’s opening goal in the Olympic hockey tournament. Canada delivered a dominant performance, defeating Czechia 5-0. This match highlighted Canada as the early favorite for the gold medal.

Celebrities of the Match

The 19-year-old Celebrini, Canada’s youngest player, made his mark by deflecting a shot from Cale Makar into the net with only 5.7 seconds left in the first period. The goal capped an exciting first period filled with back-and-forth action.

Key Players

• Macklin Celebrini: Scored Canada’s first goal.
• Jordan Binnington: Recorded a shutout, stopping all 26 shots faced.
• Cale Makar: Assisted Celebrini’s goal.
• Mitch Marner: Contributed with assists and a pass to Mark Stone for a goal.
• Connor McDavid: Assisted in a tic-tac-toe power-play goal.
• Mark Stone: Scored one of Canada’s goals.
• Bo Horvat: Scored on a breakaway.

After Celebrini’s significant goal, the momentum shifted heavily in Canada’s favor. Goals from Mitch Marner and Bo Horvat followed, leaving Czechia without answers. Binnington’s exceptional performance included key saves against Michal Kempny and David Kampf, maintaining the shutout.

Switzerland’s Impressive Opener

In another matchup, Switzerland defeated France 4-0, showing their strength in the tournament. Timo Meier of the New Jersey Devils tallied two goals in the third period, sealing the victory. Swiss goaltender Leonardo Genoni recorded a perfect performance, stopping all 27 shots he faced.

Game Highlights

• Damien Riat: Scored the opening goal just 55 seconds into the game.
• J.J. Moser: Increased the lead to 2-0 early in the first period.
• Timo Meier: Scored two crucial goals that established a commanding lead.

Genoni, who was the MVP in the previous spring’s international tournament, commented on the importance of the team’s strong start. He emphasized the confidence gained from scoring early in the game.

Looking Ahead

Switzerland will face Canada on Friday, and both teams acknowledge the challenge ahead. Nino Niederreiter, a forward for Switzerland, expressed readiness to confront the strong Canadian team. “We’re going to try our best to poke the bear a little bit,” he stated.

As the Olympic hockey tournament progresses, fans eagerly await further thrilling matches showcasing the elite talent on display. Canada and Switzerland have set a high bar with their opening games, highlighting the intense competition expected in the coming days.