Macklin Celebrini scored the first goal for Team Canada in the opening game of the men’s hockey tournament of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics against the Czech Republic. The 19-year-old San Jose Sharks superstar tipped in a Cale Makar shot with just 5.7 seconds left in the first period. This gave Canada a 1-0 lead and marked the first goal of the tournament for Team Canada.
Celebrini, the youngest player on the Canadian roster and the first teenager to represent the country in Olympic men’s hockey with NHL players, achieved the milestone in his Olympic debut. Connor McDavid earned the secondary assist on the play. Fans went wild online, with posts celebrating it as his first Olympic goal and the first for the senior national team in this setting.
This comes amid Celebrini’s breakout second NHL season (he ranks fourth in the league with 28 goals and 53 assists in 55 games for the Sharks). He sits at the top of Canada, alongside stars like McDavid and Tom Wilson, and is generating huge hype as a key contributor to Canada’s quest for gold.
What a way to introduce themselves on the biggest international stage!
It was the second goal for Team Canada, but the first goal of the game was called back thanks to a tripping penalty from Nick Suzuki.
This game was extremely entertaining and fast-paced. The Czech Republic is holding strong and showing well. Pierre LeBrun tweeted”The Czechs were on full display in that period, shooting 11-11. Team Canada was slowed by the Czech Republic in transition through the neutral zone. Cellebrini’s goal late in the period should be deflating for the Czech Republic, just six seconds away from a 0-0 draw. Some tinkering late…”
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