"This game opened exactly how you'd like to see the first game of a big tournament start, with some physical engagement. It began in warmup with Tom Wilson's antics patrolling the center-ice line, and then it carried over to start the game. Two of Canada's best players, Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon, set the tone with two big hits - first, a MacKinnon reverse hit on Michael Kempny, and then McDavid absolutely lined up and destroyed Lukas Sedlak."
"MacKinnon walked right in on a drop pass by Nick Suzuki and rifled one in the top corner, but as MacKinnon was shooting, Suzuki's stick got caught in the defender's feet, accidentally tripping the Czech player. I don't think it impacted the goal sequence, but it was a penalty. Canada killed it off pretty easily, but the Czechs did have opportunities in the first; they came out with the type of energy you'd expect of anybody in their first Olympic games."
Canada and Czechia opened with heavy physical play, featuring big hits from Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid and early agitation from Tom Wilson. MacKinnon appeared to score after a Nick Suzuki drop pass, but Suzuki's stick tangled a defender's feet and a penalty was called; Canada killed the penalty. Czechia showed lively Olympic-game energy and generated first-period chances. With five seconds remaining, Makar's point shot was redirected by Macklin Celebrini to give Canada a 1-0 lead. After 20 minutes shots were 11-11 and slot shots 5-5; Canada held slightly more zone time and pulled away in the second period.
Read at Maple Leafs Hotstove
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