• Macklin Celebrini, 19, scored with 5.7 seconds left in the first to give Canada a 1-0 lead.
• Canada is making its men’s Olympic hockey debut at Milan Cortina 2026 with NHL players back in the Games.
• First-period play was even — shots were 11-11 — but Celebrini’s late tip from a Cale Makar shot proved decisive.
• Second period underway at Milano Santagiulia; Canada leading but Czechia has matched chances.

H2: Celebrini’s late tip puts Canada ahead

Canada opened its men’s hockey campaign at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics with a dramatic late-first-period goal. Macklin Celebrini, 19, redirected a Cale Makar shot with 5.7 seconds remaining in the opening frame to put Canada up 1-0 over Czechia at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.

Celebrini, the youngest player on Team Canada and one of the youngest NHLers named to the squad, entered the tournament with 81 points in 55 NHL games this season. His finish made him the youngest Canadian NHL player to score at the Olympics.

H3: NHL stars return to the Olympic ice

This game marks a notable return of NHL talent to the Olympic stage after a 12-year absence. Stars such as Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and defenseman Cale Makar are playing for Canada, and their presence shapes expectations for the tournament.

Makar’s shot that led to Celebrini’s goal underlined Canada’s power on the blue line and quick finish through traffic. The goal came after an evenly contested period.

H3: First period — tight and even

The opening 20 minutes were highly competitive. Shots were tied 11-11, and faceoffs slightly favored Czechia (52% to 48%). Both teams traded chances, with Czechia’s energized, partisan crowd helping produce several dangerous moments for the host nation.

Stat line after P1

  • Score: Canada 1, Czechia 0
  • Shots on goal: 11 – 11
  • Power play: 0/1 – 0/1
  • Penalty minutes: 2 – 2
  • Faceoffs: 48% – 52%

H3: Tactical notes and ice-time observations

Canada’s lines saw some early experimentation. Tom Wilson logged significant minutes (6:21 in the first), while Sam Reinhart’s ice time drew attention — just 90 seconds in the opening period despite his recent importance to Canada’s depth lines in the 4 Nations competition.

Analysts noted Czechia’s ability to slow Canada through the neutral zone, creating a balanced first period before Celebrini’s late strike. That final play proved a gut punch for the Czechs, who had been threatening throughout the period and would likely take encouragement from how they matched Canada through 20 minutes.

H2: What’s next

The second period is underway with Canada leading 1-0. Broadcasters carrying the game include CBC, Sportsnet and TSN in Canada and USA Network and Peacock in the U.S. The match is an early Group A test for both teams as the Olympic tournament gets underway.

For now, Canada holds the narrow lead thanks to a young scorer’s quick finish — and the game remains very much in the balance as the teams head into the middle period.

Image Referance: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/canada-vs-czechia-live-score-mens-hockey-winter-olympics/XnxL7rqvIu7r/