The Canadian men's ice hockey team, aiming for their tenth Olympic gold medal, began their campaign in Milan Cortina on a high note with a convincing 5-0 win over the Czech Republic. The match, held at the newly constructed Santa Giulia Ice Arena, started with a fast and competitive pace, but it seemed that goals might be elusive in the first period until Canadian player Macklin Celebrini found the net just six seconds before the end of the period, giving Canada a 1-0 lead at intermission.

In the second period, Canada continued to assert their dominance as NHL stars Mark Stone and Bo Horvat scored, pushing the lead to 3-0 heading into the final frame. The Canadian team maintained control in the third period, adding two more goals to their tally. Nathan MacKinnon scored at the eight-minute mark, followed by Nick Suzuki, who secured the final score of 5-0 with just six minutes remaining.

This impressive opening match showcased Canada's strength and may well set the tone for the rest of their Olympic journey, as they aim to reclaim their title and achieve an unprecedented tenth Olympic victory in men's ice hockey. With the women's team also achieving a similar 5-0 victory against Finland, the Canadian ice hockey program is clearly demonstrating its prowess on the Olympic stage in Milan.