Canada showcased an outstanding performance against Italy at the ice hockey world championship, registering a resounding 6-0 victory. The match took place in Fribourg, Switzerland, on May 16, 2026.
Celebrini Shines with Two Goals
Teenage captain Macklin Celebrini led the charge with two goals. He opened the scoring for Canada with a one-timer from the right circle, thanks to a cross-ice pass from Porter Martone. Celebrini’s first goal came at 3:04 of the opening period, bringing the score to 3-0.
Later, he added his second goal with a precise backhand shot at 2:09 in the second period, extending Canada’s lead to 4-0. Celebrini’s impressive performance contributed significantly to his team’s success.
Other Key Players
Canada’s scoring was not limited to Celebrini. Several teammates also found the net:
- Dylan Holloway
- Fraser Minten
- Evan Bouchard
- Ryan O’Reilly
Holloway scored first with a goal after receiving a pass from John Tavares. Just 47 seconds later, Minten capitalized on a rebound to further increase the lead.
Strong Goaltending Performance
Goaltender Cam Talbot was instrumental in Canada’s shutout, saving all 19 shots he faced. This solid defensive display helped Canada maintain a clean sheet against Italy.
Canada’s Group Stage Progress
With this victory, Canada improved to 2-0 in Group B, following their earlier win against Sweden, where they triumphed 5-3. Their next match is scheduled against Denmark on Monday.
Other Tournament Highlights
In other matches, Finland secured a 4-1 win over Hungary, thanks in part to two assists from Aleksander Barkov. Austria also made headlines by defeating Britain 5-2, with Peter Schneider scoring twice.
Meanwhile, Slovakia edged past Norway with a close 2-1 victory, aided by Marek Hrivik’s key goal in the final period.
This year marks Italy’s return to the top division for the first time since 2022. The competition continues to showcase thrilling performances and emerging talents in the world of ice hockey.
