Canada came out firing on all cylinders Saturday afternoon in Fribourg, putting up three goals in the first period and cruising to a comfortable 6-0 shutout of Italy at the IIHF World Championship. Newly minted captain Macklin Celebrini set the tone early with a laser one-timer that had the BCF Arena buzzing, then added a slick backhand goal and an assist later on—turning in a three-point afternoon that screamed “this kid is ready for the C.” Sidney Crosby, fresh off the NHL playoffs, picked up the helper on Celebrini’s second marker, and the rest of the veteran crew piled on: Dylan Holloway, Fraser Minten, Evan Bouchard, and Ryan O’Reilly all found the net. Cam Talbot was perfect, turning aside every shot he faced in what was basically a glorified practice for the Maple Leaf.
It’s Canada’s second straight win in Group B after taking out Sweden 5-3 on opening night, and now they get a well-deserved day off before facing Denmark on Monday. For Italy, it was their first game back in the top pool since 2022—hosting the Milan Olympics last winter didn’t change the fact they haven’t played at this level in four years, and it showed. No NHLers on their roster, and they looked exactly like a team still trying to find its footing. (As a big Mark Scheifele fan, I’ve gotta say… something looked off with him out there. The guy just seemed a step slow or distracted, like the party life in Switzerland might be catching up. Hope he shakes it off quick.) Italy gets right back at it tomorrow against Slovakia, but Canada’s looking every bit like the favorite to roll through this group.
Dylan Holloway makes it a 1-0 game for Canada at 9:21 of the first period. The assists on the goal went to Toronto Maple Leaf John Tavares and Ryan O’Reilly.–Maple Leafs forward John Tavares, found Dylan Holloway in front, and he whacked the puck over the glove of Davide Fadani at 9:21.
Fraser Minten makes it 2-0 for Canada at 10:08 of the first period. The assists on the goal went to Connor Brown and former Moose Jaw Warrior Denton Mateychuk.–Less than a minute later, Connor Brown’s shot deflected off Fadani’s glove and Fraser Minten was right there to jam the puck across the goal line. Minten, who used to play for Tavares and the Leafs, was the key piece Boston got in that ugly Brandon Carlo trade.
Macklin Celebrini gives Canada a 3-0 lead at 16:56 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to Porter Martone and Darnell Nurse.–Later in the period, the 19-year-old Celebrini lit up the building when Porter Martone hit him with a cross-ice pass. Celebrini absolutely tore into it — the puck went in and out of the net before Fadani could even react, and it rolled right back onto Celebrini’s stick.
Shots on goal in the first period were 13-8 for Canada
Macklin Celebrini back hand goal makes it 4-0 at 2:09 of the second period. The assists on the goal went to Dylan Cozens and Sidney Crosby.–Celebrini was at it again early in the second when he got to a loose puck and rifled a wicked backhand top shelf at 2:09 to make it a 4-0 game.
Edmonton Oiler Evan Bouchard gives Canada a 5-0 lead at 18:14 of the second period while on the Power Play. The assists on the goal went to Macklin Celebrni and Gabe Valardi.–Italy’s Matt Bradley headed to the penalty box for a two-minute minor. He barely lasted nine seconds. That’s all the time it took for Crosby to thread a perfect feed to Evan Bouchard in the slot, where Bouchard ripped a high shot over Fadani’s glove at 18:14.
Ryan O’Reilly makes it 6-0 Canada at 18:39 of the second period. The assists on the goal went to John Tavares and Dylan Holloway.
Shots on goal in the second period were 14-4 for Canada
Shots on goal in the third period were 14-7 for Canada. The Canadians outshot the Italians 41-19 in the game.
Detroit Red Wings Cam Talbot, who is older than Sidney Crosby by 2 months, stopped all 19 shots he faced for the win and the shutout for Canada. For the Italians Davide Fadani who plays for EHC Kolten of the Swiss League stopped 35 of the 41 shots that he faced.
Player of the game for Italy was Marco Zanetti for Canada it was Macklin Celebrini
Canada’s next game is Monday May 18th against Denmark
