Team Canada Rolls Again, Logan Thompson Steps Up, and Akira Schmid Battles Against the Odds
If there’s one message Team Canada is sending loud and clear in this tournament, it’s this: good luck stopping us. After blanking the Czech Republic earlier in the week, Canada followed up with another commanding performance, this time dismantling Switzerland 5-1.
The goal scorers? A who’s who of hockey royalty-Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, Thomas Harley, and Macklin Celebrini.
And it wasn’t just the big names on the board. Mitch Marner, representing the Vegas Golden Knights, picked up an assist on Crosby’s third-period tally and added three shots on goal. Mark Stone chipped in with two shots of his own, while Shea Theodore had a quieter night statistically-no shots, but a second-period tripping penalty that briefly put Canada on the penalty kill.
But the story wasn’t just about Canada’s firepower. This game had layers, and one of them was a tough break for Switzerland.
Kevin Fiala suffered a leg injury that could have ripple effects for the Los Angeles Kings, especially after their recent addition of Artemi Panarin. Losing Fiala would be a significant blow to L.A.'s offensive depth.
Whether the Kings can weather that storm remains to be seen.
Looking ahead, Canada’s next opponent is France, with puck drop scheduled for Sunday at 7:40 AM PST. On paper, it’s a lopsided matchup.
Canada’s lineup is loaded with NHL stars, while France will be hard-pressed to keep pace. If Canada keeps playing at this level, expect another dominant showing.
But let’s zoom in on a compelling subplot: the goaltending showdown between two netminders with ties to the Vegas Golden Knights-Akira Schmid for Switzerland and Logan Thompson for Canada. One’s a current Golden Knight, the other a former one, and both had moments worth talking about.
Akira Schmid: Standing Tall in a Shooting Gallery
The stat line says Schmid gave up five goals on 38 shots. But that doesn’t tell the whole story.
Facing a relentless Canadian offense, Schmid actually turned in a gutsy performance. He made 33 saves, including a highlight-reel scorpion stop on Sidney Crosby in the first period and a slick denial of a Mark Stone backhand in the third.
For two periods, Schmid kept Switzerland in the fight. He was composed, aggressive when he needed to be, and showed flashes of brilliance against some of the best scorers on the planet.
Eventually, the Canadian onslaught proved too much, but Schmid’s performance deserves credit. He didn’t just survive-he competed.
Switzerland now turns its attention to the Czech Republic, with puck drop set for 3:10 AM PST on Sunday. That matchup could be a battle of wills, especially if Schmid gets the nod in net again. The Czechs will be looking to bounce back, and Schmid might just be the key to slowing them down.
Logan Thompson: Quiet Confidence, Big Results
On the other side of the ice, Logan Thompson didn’t have to deal with the same volume of shots-just 24-but he stopped 23 of them and was rock-solid when Canada needed him most. After Switzerland cut the lead to one late in the first period, the momentum could’ve shifted. But Thompson shut the door in the final 40 minutes, pitching a shutout the rest of the way and giving Canada the stability it needed to pull away.
Coming into the tournament, there were questions about Canada’s goaltending depth. Thompson is starting to answer those questions.
His calm presence and timely saves have been a quiet but crucial part of Canada’s early dominance. He’s not just along for the ride-he’s helping drive the bus.
So while the headlines will rightfully focus on the offensive stars lighting up the scoreboard, don’t overlook the goaltenders. Schmid fought valiantly in a tough spot, and Thompson delivered exactly what Canada needed. If both continue playing at this level, expect to hear their names a lot more as the tournament rolls on.
For now, Canada looks unstoppable. But as every hockey fan knows, tournaments like this are marathons, not sprints. Stay tuned.