By Michelle Leung
Men’s ice hockey commenced play at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics in Italy on February 11, although neither Canada nor France played in games until February 12.
On February 12, France lost their game against Switzerland 0-4 while Canada won against Czechia 5-0.
During the following day, France again lost, this time against Czechia 3-6 while Canada secured the win 5-1 against Switzerland.
Through these wins, Canada became the first nation to reach the quarter-finals, and they are viewed as favorites to win gold.
There are three groups featured in the ice hockey tournament: A, B, and C. The winners of each group advance directly to the quarter-finals, along with the best-performing nation among the runners-up. Group A consists of Canada, France, Czechia, and Switzerland.
The remaining eight teams will participate in a qualification round on February 17 to get into the quarter-finals, which will be played on February 18.
After the semi-finals on February 20 and the bronze game on February 21, the men’s gold game will be held on February 22.
Let’s play hockey!! — 10:40AM
Teams Canada and France take to the ice! Canada is looking to win their 10th men’s ice hockey gold medal, while France are aiming to get onto the podium for the first time.
First penalty of the match — 10:49AM
France’s No. 72 Jordann Perret receives the game’s first penalty for holding Canada’s No. 17, Macklin Celebrini.
Canada bags the first point — 10:54AM
No. 43 Tom Wilson scores for Canada — his first Olympic goal — at 8:41 in the first period with assists from No. 89 Drew Doughty and No. 97 Connor McDavid.
France evens up the score — 10:56AM
No. 91 Floran Douay scores a rebound goal at 8:54 in the first period, assisted by No. 24 Justin Addamo.
Canada scores a second time — 10:57AM
No. 7 Devon Toews scores a goal at 9:33 in the first period, with assists from No. 8 Cale Makar and No. 87 Sidney Crosby, bringing the score to 2-1.
Updated shots on goal — 11:04AM
Canada has 13 shots on goal, versus France’s four shots on goal with 5:30 remaining in the first period.
Canada gets a penalty for holding — 11:13AM
Canada’s No. 6 Travis Sanheim receives a penalty for holding France’s No. 7, becoming the fifth penalty that Team Canada has conceded so far in the Milano Cortina Olympics.
Canada bumps the score to 3-1 — 11:16AM
Canada scores a short-handed goal off France’s power play by No. 61 Mark Stone, unassisted with just three seconds remaining in the first period.
Recap of the first period — 11:25AM
At the end of the first period, Canada has a two-goal lead on France. Canada has 17 shots on goal to France’s six, and both teams have won 50% of the match’s face-offs. They have each racked up one penalty.
Second period commences — 11:33AM
France has 49 seconds of the power play left as the teams return from intermission, but squanders the remaining time without scoring.
Second penalty for France– 11:41AM
Tension mounts as possession continues to switch quickly between teams, and France’s No. 95 Kevin Bozon gets a penalty for hooking Canada’s No. 17 Celebrini.
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