Team Canada Dominates France 10-2, But Now the Waiting Begins
Team Canada did its part. Now, it’s out of their hands.
In their final group stage matchup, Canada rolled past France with a commanding 10-2 win, closing out their preliminary round with a statement. From the opening puck drop, the Canadians looked dialed in-and the stars came to play.
McDavid, Makar, and Celebrini Lead the Charge
Connor McDavid wasted no time making an impact, picking up a secondary assist on Tom Wilson’s first goal of the tournament just under nine minutes into the game. France responded quickly-just 13 seconds later, in fact-but Canada never looked rattled. Devon Toews restored the lead with a smooth finish on a two-on-one, and from there, the floodgates opened.
The eventual game-winner came in vintage Mark Stone fashion. Killing a penalty late in the first, Stone read a pass perfectly, picked it off, and slowly ramped up to full speed before tucking a slick backhand past the French netminder. It was a shorthanded goal that summed up Canada’s night: opportunistic, relentless, and executed with surgical precision.
McDavid added a second assist midway through the second period, setting up Cale Makar for a power-play snipe from the high slot. Then it was Macklin Celebrini’s turn-drawing a penalty shot and converting with poise, showing once again why he’s one of the most exciting young players in the game. Sidney Crosby added another late in the second, his pass deflecting off a French defender and in, pushing the score to 6-1.
Third Period? More of the Same
The third period started the way the second ended-with Canada in full control. Just 20 seconds in, McDavid turned on the jets, broke through the French defense, and finished with a silky backhand for his second goal of the tournament. France did manage to notch their second of the game shortly after, but the Canadians weren’t finished.
Bo Horvat, Brandon Hagel, and Celebrini added three more in the final frame, putting the finishing touches on a dominant performance that left little doubt about where Canada stands heading into the knockout rounds.
McDavid’s Historic Pace
With two goals and nine points through three games, Connor McDavid is averaging a point per period. Let that sink in. His nine points are already the most ever by a Canadian in a single Olympic tournament, and he’s just two shy of tying the all-time record-held by Teemu Selänne and Saku Koivu, who each had 11 points at the 2006 Games in Turin.
McDavid’s combination of speed, vision, and control is on full display in Milan, and if this pace continues, he won’t just break records-he’ll redefine what Olympic dominance looks like.
What’s Next? Canada Waits
Despite the win, Canada’s next opponent remains a mystery. With a +17 goal differential, they’ve done everything they can to secure the top spot in their group.
But Team USA still has a shot at first place-though it’s a long one. They’d need to beat Germany by 11 goals to leapfrog Canada in the standings.
That final group-stage game between USA and Germany will determine the seeding. If Canada holds on to first, they’ll likely face the eighth or ninth seed in the quarterfinals-potentially Switzerland, Czechia, or Germany.
Wilson’s Status Uncertain After Rare Olympic Fight
One wrinkle heading into the elimination round: Tom Wilson’s availability. The power forward dropped the gloves in the third period after a high hit on Nathan MacKinnon sparked tempers. It marked the first fight in Olympic hockey since the 1998 Nagano Games, and while it fired up the bench, it could also lead to disciplinary review.
Canada will be hoping Wilson avoids suspension, especially with the physicality ramping up in the medal rounds.
All Eyes on the Final Group Game
The final piece of the puzzle drops into place when Team USA faces Germany. A win for Germany would shake up the group standings, but they’d also need help from Denmark, who’d have to beat Latvia. It’s a long shot, but stranger things have happened in tournament hockey.
For now, Canada can rest, regroup, and get ready for the next challenge. They’ve looked every bit the gold-medal contender-and if McDavid keeps playing like this, it might just be a matter of time.