Canada opened its second match in Group B with a commanding 6‑0 victory over Italy at the ice‑hockey world championship, extending its winning streak after a narrow win over Sweden in the tournament opener.
Celebrini shines
Macklin Celebrini, the teenage captain, struck twice, opening the scoring with a crisp one‑timer that followed a feed from Porter Martone and later adding a backhand that lifted the puck high into the net. His performance was complemented by an assist from veteran Sidney Crosby on the second goal, underscoring the depth of talent on the Canadian roster.
The scoring barrage was not limited to Celebrini. Dylan Holloway and Fraser Minten lit the lamp just 47 seconds into the opening period, while Evan Bouchard and Ryan O'Reilly sealed the shutout with goals within 25 seconds late in the second frame. The rapid succession of goals highlighted Canada's offensive depth and put immense pressure on the Italian defense.
Between the nets, goaltender Cam Talbot turned away all 19 shots he faced, preserving a clean sheet and delivering a performance that reinforced Canada's defensive solidity.
Other Group Action
Elsewhere in the schedule, Finland recorded a 4‑1 win over Hungary, with Aleksander Barkov — who missed the entire season due to injury — contributing two assists. Austria routed Britain 5‑2, scoring three times in the first ten minutes before extending the lead in the second period; Peter Schneider was the standout with two goals for the Austrians. Britain answered with goals from David Clements and Liam Kirk, which came 37 seconds apart in the first period. Slovakia edged Norway 2‑1, with Marek Hrivik delivering the decisive marker midway through the final period. The host nation Switzerland is set to meet Latvia in Zurich, while the Czech Republic will face Slovenia later in Fribourg, adding further intrigue to the tournament.
What Comes Next
Canada will look to maintain its momentum as it prepares for its next Group B encounter, while Italy, a newcomer back in the top division since 2022, will seek to regroup against upcoming opponents. The tournament continues to showcase a blend of emerging stars and seasoned veterans, promising more high‑stakes matchups in the days ahead.