The Canadian men's hockey team delivered a commanding performance at the Milan Cortina Olympics, dismantling France 10-2 while witnessing one of their legends cement his legacy even further. Sidney Crosby, the 38-year-old icon, etched his name deeper into Olympic history by becoming Canada's all-time leading scorer in the NHL era of the Games.
Crosby's contribution of one goal and two assists against France propelled his career Olympic point total to 16, surpassing the previous national record of 14 held by Jarome Iginla. This milestone adds another remarkable chapter to a career already filled with golden moments, as Crosby played pivotal roles in Canada's victories at Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014. The achievement is particularly noteworthy given the limited opportunities NHL players have had to compete in recent Olympics, making each appearance more precious for veteran players.
The Pittsburgh Penguins captain wasn't the only Canadian superstar making history. Connor McDavid, competing in his first Olympic Games, continued his spectacular debut by accumulating three points in the match. His tournament total now stands at nine points across just nine periods of play, breaking the single-Games record for a Canadian NHL player previously set by Jonathan Toews with eight points in seven games during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. McDavid's performance has been nothing short of sensational, as he leads the tournament in scoring and demonstrates why many consider him the world's best player.
The offensive onslaught was a team effort, with multiple players finding the scoresheet. Macklin Celebrini, one of the team's rising stars, netted two goals and added an assist, showcasing the depth of talent on the Canadian roster. The 18-year-old's performance highlights the successful integration of young talent with veteran leadership. Mark Stone and Connor McDavid each contributed a goal and two helpers, while Cale Makar and Tom Wilson both recorded a goal and an assist. Devon Toews, Bo Horvat, and Brandon Hagel rounded out the scoring for the undefeated Canadians, demonstrating the balanced attack that makes them so difficult to defend.
In goal, Jordan Binnington faced minimal pressure, stopping 11 of 13 shots to secure the victory. The St. Louis Blues goaltender has been solid throughout the preliminary round, providing the steady presence in net that championship teams require. At the other end of the ice, French goaltender Julian Junca struggled against the Canadian firepower, allowing six goals on 33 shots before being replaced in the third period by Antoine Keller, who made three saves. The disparity in shots and scoring chances illustrated the gap between the two nations' programs.
The match remained relatively uneventful until a third-period incident ignited tensions. With Canada comfortably ahead, French defenseman Pierre Crinon delivered a forearm strike to the face of Nathan MacKinnon away from the play, prompting an immediate response from Tom Wilson. The Canadian forward dropped the gloves and engaged Crinon in a rare Olympic hockey fight, resulting in game misconduct penalties for both players. The incident occurred behind the French net, far from the puck, making the hit particularly egregious in the eyes of the Canadian bench.
Canadian head coach Jon Cooper defended Wilson's actions, emphasizing the team's unity and protective culture. "That's a big part of what we're all about," Cooper stated in his post-game press conference. "These guys go through a wall for each other. It's fun to watch. I think we're used to a lot more than that happening. It was pretty harmless in the grand scheme of things, but that's Willie." Cooper's comments reflect the expectation that Canadian players will stand up for teammates, even in an era where fighting has become increasingly rare in international competition.
The fight, while unusual in Olympic competition, demonstrated the protective mentality within the Canadian locker room. MacKinnon, though shaken by the blow, appeared to avoid serious injury and returned to the bench shortly after the incident. The altercation seemed to galvanize the team rather than disrupt their momentum, as they continued to control the game's pace even after losing Wilson to ejection.
With this victory, Canada completed a perfect preliminary round record of three wins and zero losses, finishing atop Group A with a commanding plus-17 goal differential. The team opened the tournament with a 5-0 shutout of Czechia before securing a 5-1 win over Switzerland, setting the stage for their dominant performance against France. Each game showed progressive improvement, with the team building chemistry and refining their systems.
Looking ahead, Canada now awaits the outcome of a qualification playoff match between Czechia and Denmark scheduled for Tuesday. The winner will face the Canadians in the quarterfinals as the knockout stage begins. The team's systematic improvement throughout the preliminary round has positioned them as strong contenders for gold, with oddsmakers listing them as favorites.
Crosby's record-breaking achievement carries significant historical weight when considering the context of NHL participation in the Olympics. The league participated in five Olympic tournaments between 1998 and 2014, with Canada claiming gold in 2002, 2010, and 2014. The league's absence from the 2018 PyeongChang Games due to financial disputes, followed by a COVID-19-cancelled return plan for 2022, makes this year's tournament particularly special for players like Crosby who cherish Olympic competition. The eight-year gap between NHL participation has created a sense of urgency and appreciation among veteran players.
While Crosby now holds the Canadian record, the overall tournament record for points by an NHL player remains shared by Finnish legends Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu, who both recorded 11 points at the 2006 Turin Games. McDavid's current pace suggests he could challenge that mark with several games remaining, especially if Canada advances deep into the knockout stage. The Edmonton Oilers captain has been averaging a point per period, a remarkable feat in any international competition.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, Crosby maintained a measured perspective on the team's performance. "Our intentions are good," he noted in his post-game interview. "Still areas we want to clean up." This focus on continuous improvement reflects the high standards within the Canadian camp, where anything less than gold is considered a disappointment. The veteran's leadership in keeping the team grounded will be crucial as the competition intensifies.
McDavid echoed his teammate's sentiments, emphasizing the team's objectives over individual accolades. "We did what we came to do," he said matter-of-factly. "We came to win a hockey game and continue to get better." The superstar center's combination of humility and excellence has become a hallmark of his Olympic debut, endearing him to teammates and fans alike.
The French team, despite the defeat, managed to find the scoresheet twice through Floran Douay and Sacha Treille. Their tournament ends without a victory, but the experience of competing against the world's best provides valuable development for a program still growing on the international stage. French hockey has made strides in recent years, and facing elite competition exposes areas for improvement while providing motivation for younger players.
As the tournament progresses to the elimination rounds, Canada's blend of veteran leadership and youthful talent presents a formidable challenge for any opponent. Crosby's experience, combined with McDavid's brilliance and the supporting cast's depth, creates a roster capable of adapting to any style of play. The team's ability to roll four lines with scoring threats makes matchups difficult for opposing coaches.
The fight involving Wilson, while drawing attention on social media, ultimately serves as a footnote to a game defined by offensive excellence and historical milestones. Cooper's team has shown they can win with skill, discipline, and, when necessary, the willingness to stand up for one another. This versatility will serve them well in the pressure-cooker environment of knockout hockey.
With the quarterfinals approaching, Canada will use the brief break to refine their strategies and address the areas Crosby identified for improvement. The coaching staff will analyze video from the preliminary round to identify tendencies and potential weaknesses that stronger opponents might exploit. The path to gold becomes increasingly challenging, but this team's performance suggests they're prepared for whatever lies ahead.
The Milan Cortina Olympics represent a return to the traditional best-on-best format that fans have craved since 2014. For players like Crosby, it may represent a final opportunity at Olympic glory, making each record and each victory that much more meaningful. The tournament has already produced memorable moments, but the best is yet to come as the world's hockey powers clash in the medal rounds.
Canada's dominance in the preliminary round has sent a clear message to the rest of the field: they are the team to beat. However, the players and coaching staff understand that past performance guarantees nothing in single-elimination hockey. The focus remains on the next game, the next shift, and the next opportunity to improve. With their eyes firmly fixed on gold, Canada enters the knockout stage with confidence, chemistry, and a collection of the world's finest hockey talent.