Sharks unsurprised by Macklin Celebrini's Olympic star turn: He's the best player in the world'

"San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini is the youngest NHL player competing in the men's hockey tournament at the Winter Olympic Games in Milan Cortina. All the 19-year-old Celebrini has done so far is become the event's second-leading scorer, right behind linemate Connor McDavid, while helping a stacked Canadian team advance to Friday's semifinals. None of which surprises his Sharks teammates."

"Celebrini, in the biggest game of his life to this point, had three points including the primary assist on Mitch Marner's overtime winner as Canada earned a thrilling 4-3 quarterfinal win over Czechia on Wednesday at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. In the 3-on-3 overtime, Celebrini sent a drop pass to Marner, who danced through three Czechia defenders including former Sharks defenseman Radim Simek before his backhand shot beat goalie Lukas Dostal at the 1:22 mark of the 10-minute extra session."

"Marner's goal sent his teammates streaming onto the ice in celebration, and the Canadians into the semifinals against Finland, which came back to beat Switzerland and Sharks forward Philipp Kurashev 3-2 in overtime. Kurashev had an assist in the loss. Sharks winger Pavol Regenda is in the other semifinal after scoring twice to help Slovakia beat Germany 6-2. Slovakia will play the United States, which beat Sweden 2-1 in overtime on a goal by Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes."

Macklin Celebrini, 19, is the youngest NHL player competing at Milan Cortina and has become the event's second-leading scorer behind Connor McDavid. Celebrini helped Canada reach the semifinals and registered three points, including the primary assist on Mitch Marner's overtime winner in a 4-3 quarterfinal win over Czechia at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. In 3-on-3 overtime, Celebrini sent a drop pass to Marner, whose backhand beat Lukas Dostal at 1:22 of the extra session. Finland will face Canada in the semifinals; Sharks forward Philipp Kurashev had an assist in Switzerland's overtime loss. Pavol Regenda scored twice as Slovakia beat Germany 6-2, and Slovakia will play the United States, which beat Sweden 2-1 in overtime on a Quinn Hughes goal.

Read at www.mercurynews.com