Imagine witnessing hockey legends rewriting Olympic history right before your eyes—that’s exactly what happened when Canada’s powerhouse duo, Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid, dominated the ice in Milan. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is this Canadian team simply unstoppable, or are they benefiting from a weaker Group A? Let’s dive in.
On February 13, 2026, at the Santagiulia Arena, Team Canada secured the top spot in Group A of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 with a commanding 5-1 victory over Switzerland. MacKinnon and McDavid each delivered a goal and two assists, showcasing their unparalleled chemistry and skill. Macklin Celebrini continued his impressive streak with a goal and an assist, while Thomas Harley and Sidney Crosby also found the net. Goaltender Logan Thompson stood tall with 24 saves, ensuring Canada’s undefeated record (2-0-0-0) and a well-deserved bye into the quarterfinals. Cale Makar contributed with two assists, further solidifying Canada’s depth.
For Switzerland (1-0-1-0), Pius Suter scored their lone goal, and Akira Schmid faced a barrage of shots, making 34 saves. The Swiss will face Team Czechia on Sunday, with the winner potentially earning a bye as well. The tournament format sends the three group winners and the next-best team directly to the quarterfinals, while the remaining eight teams enter a single-elimination qualifying round starting Tuesday.
Canada’s early dominance was undeniable, with McDavid—fresh off a three-assist performance against Czechia—leading the charge. During a power play, McDavid capitalized on a slick cross-ice pass from MacKinnon, firing a wrist shot past Schmid at 5:45. Just minutes later, McDavid set up Harley for a five-hole goal, extending the lead to 2-0. With six points in two games, McDavid became the first player in NHL-era Olympic history to tally five or more points in his first two games—a record that’s sure to spark debates about his place among the all-time greats.
Switzerland briefly closed the gap at 12:42 during their first power play. Sven Andrighetto’s one-timer deflected off Thompson’s wrist, hit the crossbar, and landed at Suter’s feet for an easy rebound goal. Notably, this was the first goal Canada had allowed in an NHL-participating Olympics since 2014, ending a 237:01 shutout streak.
Celebrini extended Canada’s lead to 3-1 early in the second period, one-timing a no-look backhand pass from MacKinnon. Crosby added his first goal of the tournament in the third period, redirecting a hard pass from Mitch Marner. MacKinnon sealed the deal at 13:03, capping off a stellar performance from the newly formed line of MacKinnon, McDavid, and Celebrini.
The game took a somber turn with 2:50 remaining when Switzerland’s Kevin Fiala was stretchered off the ice after a collision with Tom Wilson along the boards. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the physical toll this sport demands, even at its highest level.
And this is the part most people miss: While Canada’s victory was impressive, Switzerland’s resilience and Schmid’s goaltending cannot be overlooked. Are we underestimating the Swiss as legitimate medal contenders? Or is Canada simply on another level? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over.
