The Canada men’s national ice hockey team continued to look every bit like a gold-medal favorite Friday night at the 2026 Winter Olympics, defeating Switzerland men’s national ice hockey team 5–1 at Santagiulia Arena to clinch Group A and a direct berth in the quarterfinals.
For the second straight game, Canada’s star-studded offense proved overwhelming. The newly assembled top line of Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, and Macklin Celebrini dominated play, combining for eight points — three goals and five assists — in a performance that underscored Canada’s depth and speed.
MacKinnon and McDavid each recorded a goal and two assists, while Celebrini added two points, including his second goal in as many Olympic games. Defenseman Thomas Harley and veteran captain Sidney Crosby also scored, and goaltender Logan Thompson made 24 saves as Canada improved to 2-0-0-0 in preliminary-round play.
Canada wasted little time seizing control. On a first-period power play, McDavid fired a wrist shot from the right circle off goaltender Akira Schmid and into the net at 5:45 to open the scoring. Less than six minutes later, McDavid set up Harley alone in the slot for a five-hole finish that made it 2–0.
With six points through two games, McDavid became the first player to record at least five points in his first two Olympic appearances in a tournament featuring NHL players.
Switzerland briefly answered late in the first period when Pius Suter scored on a rebound during a power play, cutting the deficit to 2–1. But Canada quickly regained control in the second period. Celebrini extended the lead to 3–1 at 4:14, finishing a no-look backhand setup from MacKinnon with a one-timer from the left circle.
Crosby added his first goal of the tournament early in the third period, redirecting a hard pass from Mitch Marner to make it 4–1. MacKinnon capped the scoring at 13:03 of the third, finishing another sequence involving McDavid and Celebrini.
Despite a crowd heavily supportive of Switzerland — boosted by fans traveling from just across the nearby border — Canada controlled the pace throughout the game. Earlier in the week, Swiss forward Nino Niederreiter had said his team hoped to “poke the bear” against Canada, but the defending hockey powerhouse responded with authority.
The loss may have come with a significant cost for Switzerland. Forward Kevin Fiala was taken off the ice on a stretcher with 2:50 remaining after becoming tangled along the boards with Canada forward Tom Wilson. His status for the remainder of the tournament is uncertain.
Canada will close out preliminary-round play Sunday against France, while Switzerland faces Czechia in a game that could determine quarterfinal qualification. The three group winners and the next-best record advance directly to the quarterfinals, with the remaining teams entering the single-elimination qualifying round.
Through two games in Milan, Canada has looked dominant — and increasingly difficult to stop.
