MILAN — Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, and the Canadian contingent are advancing to the elimination stage at the Olympic Games as the premier squad in the competition.
Their performance might have rendered the top seeding unattainable for the American team.
On Sunday, Crosby and McDavid both contributed a goal and two helpers in a highly efficient and professional 10-2 demolition of France. This encounter also involved Tom Wilson engaging in a physical confrontation with the player who had struck Nathan MacKinnon’s face with a forearm.
MacKinnon subsequently re-entered the game, while Wilson was expelled, as fisticuffs constitute a game misconduct offense per international regulations.
Canada concluded the preliminary round without a single defeat, having surpassed its adversaries by a margin of 17 goals across three matches.
For the No. 1 seed, the U.S. would be required to defeat Germany by a minimum of 10 goals on Sunday evening to surpass Canada. Any victory falling short of this margin would place the U.S. in second position, destined for a direct confrontation with seventh-ranked Sweden in the quarterfinals, whereas an unforeseen loss in regulation time would drastically alter the already astonishing league table.
Sweden presents a rather challenging adversary; however, Canada demonstrated during the initial phase that it possesses the talent, physical presence, and scoring prowess to decisively outperform any other squad in Milan. McDavid has accumulated nine points across his initial nine periods, leading all point-getters at his debut Olympics, and the 38-year-old Crosby has performed exceptionally, aiming for a perfect three-for-three record in gold medals.
Macklin Celebrini, the 19-year-old youngest member of Canada’s roster, capitalized on a penalty shot and also scored during a power play against France, bringing his total to four goals in three contests.
Wilson, chosen by coach Jon Cooper to play alongside McDavid on the premier forward line as a right winger, registered a goal in addition to delivering several impactful checks.
Mark Stone tallied a short-handed goal with just 3.4 seconds remaining in the initial period and also provided two helpers. Brandon Hagel netted Canada’s ninth goal in the third frame before Celebrini secured the tenth.
Canada significantly outshot France 46-13, thereby simplifying matters for goaltender Jordan Binnington. While he might wish to replay the second goal, he is still expected to start in goal on Wednesday for the quarterfinals, probably facing either Czechia or Germany.
Switzerland Secures a Victory for Kevin Fiala
Motivated by the unavailability of their injured winger, Kevin Fiala, Switzerland triumphed over Czechia 4-3 in an extra period, thus paving a straightforward route to the quarterfinals for themselves.
Prevailing in the concluding match of the preliminary stage ensures that Captain Roman Josi’s squad will, with high certainty, encounter either France or the winless host nation, Italy, in the qualification playoffs on Tuesday.
“”We recognized this was a crucial contest,” remarked Josi, the Nashville Predators’ defenseman who notched Switzerland’s opening goal by deflecting the puck off Radko Gudas’ left skate and into the net. ”Evidently, there were numerous swings of momentum during that final period, yet we managed to prevail. It represented a monumental victory against a truly strong opponent.””
Dean Kukan, a former defenseman for the Columbus Blue Jackets, netted the decisive goal in overtime. Across 172 NHL regular-season and postseason appearances, he had only six goals, and he considered this particular one among the top three of his professional tenure.
“”My initial thought was to pass, but [Czechia’s Radek Simek] afforded me a bit too much space,” Kukan stated. ”A shot taken from that position is consistently perilous.””
Timo Meier, from the New Jersey Devils, and Pius Suter, of the St. Louis Blues, likewise registered goals for Switzerland, while the 38-year-old national team netminder, Leonardo Genoni, thwarted 29 out of the 32 attempts directed his way.
Fiala, the Los Angeles Kings’ second-highest point earner, underwent an operation to mend what the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation vaguely described as a lower left leg ailment. He conveyed a video message to his colleagues from his hospital bed, and coach Patrick Fischer anticipates Fiala’s return to the athletes’ residence by Monday.
“”He remains a part of our team,” declared Nico Hischier, the captain of the Devils. ”We intend to compete in his honor. And naturally, one dislikes witnessing such an injury. He stands as one of our most skilled athletes, so his absence is undeniably a significant setback for us. Nevertheless, we are aware of his continued involvement with us, and he will encourage us.””