MILAN, Italy – Macklin Celebrini, the 19-year-old phenom quickly becoming a household name in hockey, etched his name into Olympic history on Sunday with a stunning penalty shot goal against France. The goal, a display of skill and composure, extended Canada’s lead in a dominant 10-2 victory and further solidified their position as the team to beat at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. Celebrini’s performance comes as Canada rolls through the preliminary round undefeated, outscoring opponents by a remarkable 17 goals.
The penalty shot opportunity arose late in the second period when Celebrini was hooked and knocked down while driving to the net. The referee immediately signaled a penalty shot, giving the young forward a chance to showcase his talent on the Olympic stage. Canada coach Jon Cooper, facing a decision on who to send out, didn’t hesitate, recognizing the moment belonged to Celebrini. “Basically, 18 guys turned around to gaze at me and said, ‘Oh, what are you going to do now, coach?’ as I watched Celebrini do the circle,” Cooper recounted, acknowledging the team’s confidence in their teammate. “They would have booed me out of the building if I didn’t let him shoot.”
Celebrini didn’t disappoint. He collected the puck at center ice, showcasing a deceptive move, going to the right before cutting towards the middle. Faking a backhand, he quickly switched to his right and unleashed a shot past French goalie Julian Junca’s blocker, making the play look effortless. The goal extended Canada’s lead to 5-1. “I had a chance there, and I was just happy to be able to do it again,” Celebrini said after the game. “I don’t realize. I wasn’t really thinking much… I’ve been working on that move a little bit in practice, and luckily it worked out.”
Entering Sunday’s game, Celebrini was tied for second in tournament scoring with teammate Sidney Crosby and Slovakia’s Juraj Slafkovsky, each with two goals and four assists. Connor McDavid leads all scorers with nine points (two goals, seven assists), demonstrating Canada’s offensive firepower. Canada’s dominant performance has positioned them as the top seed heading into the knockout round.
While Celebrini is still early in his professional career, he’s already making a significant impact. He has a 9-2 record in shootouts since entering the NHL last season and is currently fourth in the NHL with 81 points (28 goals, 53 assists) in 55 games. He’s often found himself on the third line for Team Canada, but his skill and potential are undeniable. The performance at the Olympics is further proof of his rising star power.
The win over France followed a strong showing by the U.S. Team, who defeated Germany 5-1 on Sunday night to secure the second seed in the tournament. The U.S. Victory ensures that the North American rivals cannot meet until the gold medal game. The U.S. Will face the winner of the qualification round game between Sweden and Latvia, while Canada will play either Czechia or Denmark in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Canada’s success isn’t solely reliant on its young stars. Sidney Crosby continues to demonstrate his legendary skill, looking to secure his third Olympic gold medal. Connor McDavid, currently leading the NHL with 96 points (34 goals, 62 assists) in 58 games for the Edmonton Oilers, is also playing at an elite level. Nathan MacKinnon is close behind with 93 points (40 goals, 53 assists) in 55 games for the Colorado Avalanche.
The incident involving Tom Wilson, who fought the player who delivered a forearm to Nathan MacKinnon’s face, highlighted Canada’s willingness to protect its players. Wilson was ejected under international rules, but his teammates praised his commitment. “He’s going to stick up for his guys,” forward Sam Bennett said. “He’s a leader on this team and he’s a guy that’s going to protect our guys and do whatever it takes for our team.”
As Canada advances to the quarterfinals, the focus shifts to maintaining their momentum and navigating the challenges ahead. Their dominant performance in the preliminary round has established them as the favorites, but the knockout stage promises intense competition. The team’s ability to blend veteran leadership with emerging talent will be crucial as they pursue Olympic gold.
What comes next for Team Canada is a quarterfinal matchup against either Czechia or Denmark. The team will undoubtedly be looking to continue their impressive form and solidify their position as the team to beat. Share your thoughts on Canada’s Olympic run in the comments below!
