2026 Olympic Women’s Hockey: Top standouts from Canada vs. Czechia
While the offense was there, and the victory was sizeable, Canada’s result on Monday felt anything but clean.
From injuries to key players to bumpy stretches in their own zone, Canada has some issues to address after beating Czechia 5-1, staying undefeated at the Winter Olympics.
The big story coming out of the victory is the status of captain Marie-Philip Poulin. The legend suffered a lower-body injury after taking a hard hit from Czech forward Kristyna Kaltounkova near the halfway mark of the first period. While she tried to come out on the ensuing power play, Poulin quickly left the ice and went down the tunnel. She briefly returned to the bench near the end of the opening frame, but was absent at the beginning of the second, and was later ruled out for the rest of the game.
Then, with Canada well out in front late in the third, defender Erin Ambrose went down the tunnel after suffering an injury during the play that led to Czechia’s lone goal. She also didn’t return to the game.
It was a very physical game, as both teams were taking liberties with one another, both during the play and between the whistles. A total of 20 penalty minutes were accounted for, the most of any game in Milan so far.
Yet, Canada managed to persevere. The power play stayed hot, going 2-for-4 thanks to a pair of goals from Julia Gosling. The penalty kill only gave up one goal on Czechia’s four chances on the player advantage. At 5-on-5, Canada was able to flex its muscles as well, though the Czechs showed some fight when the game started to get out of reach.
Kristin O’Neill scored her first Olympic goal to start the scoring early in the first, with Sarah Fillier and Laura Stacey adding markers as part of a four-goal first period for the Canadians.
Czechia’s lone goal came in the third, with Natalie Mlynkova scoring her team-leading third of the tournament.
Canada outshot the Czechs 34-19. In her first start in Italy, Ann-Renee Desbiens turned away 18 shots for Canada. Julie Pejsova, Czechia’s third-stringer, got the start in goal, but was pulled after giving up three goals on 12 shots. Michaela Hesova gave up two goals on 22 shots in relief.
Czechia finishes the preliminary round with a 1-1-2 record. They currently sit third in Group A, though Switzerland and Finland play tomorrow, with the Finns having two games remaining. Canada (2-0-0) now faces the United States, with first place in the group up for grabs.
Canada
Julia Gosling, F
One of Gosling’s strengths, which made her an important piece in Canada’s gold medal run at the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship, was her ability to be a solid net-front presence. She showed that prowess with her two markers on Monday, giving her three over the first two games. With her size and strength, she can combat some of the Americans’ tougher blueliners.
Brianne Jenner, F
If you asked me back in the fall, I wasn’t sure what role Jenner would have on this Canadian roster. However, her hot start with the Ottawa Charge reinstilled faith that she can be a top scorer at any level. She shone against Czechia, picking up a couple of primary assists on Gosling’s two goals. Even with Poulin on the shelf, if Jenner can be a key part of the power play, Canada will utilize Jenner’s playmaking ability in the later rounds.
Sarah Nurse, F
Solid game from the star center. Even when she returned from injury with the Vancouver Goldeneyes, we weren’t sure what shape Nure would be in for the Olympics. She was involved in Fillier’s goal that was later credited as the game-winner, and posted three shots on goal in just 12 minutes of ice time. The more she feels comfortable, the more I feel like Nurse can be the game-changer she became known as four years ago.
Czechia
Tereza Vanisova, F
While Kaltounkova spent more time in the box than I’m sure she wanted, Vanisova was a catalyst throughout the game. She picked up an assist on Mlynkova’s goal in the third, and finished tied with Kaltounkova for the team lead with four shots on goal. Vanisova’s ability to create opportunities going up against a team with a strong defense like Canada will be crucial if Czechia wants to compete for a medal on the Olympic stage.