Connor McDavid Delivers Massive Hit in Team Canada’s Victory

The 2026 Winter Olympics have ushered in a thrilling start for Team Canada, highlighted by a standout performance from Connor McDavid. In Canada’s impressive 5-0 shutout victory over Czechia, McDavid, typically known for his finesse, surprised fans with a massive hit early in the game.

McDavid’s Impactful Hit

McDavid’s hit was a standout moment, leading to some initial confusion among teammates. Brad Marchand assumed it was Tom Wilson who delivered the hit against Czech forward Lukas Sedlak. “When I got back to the bench, Marchy said, ‘Great hit, Willy,’ and I said, ‘No, that was Davo,’” Wilson explained, highlighting McDavid’s unexpected physicality.

Team Contributions

The dynamic gameplay continued as the McDavid-led line began to make its mark on the scoreboard. The opening goal came from 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini, who redirected a shot from defenseman Cale Makar, giving Canada a 1-0 lead.

Head coach Jon Cooper made the strategic choice to keep the trio of McDavid, Wilson, and Celebrini together, a decision that paid off as McDavid contributed three assists throughout the match.

McDavid’s Remarks

Reflecting on his hit, McDavid emphasized the team’s unified approach to the game. “Our team wants to play hard, and everybody wants to play hard at this tournament,” he stated in an interview. He noted that intensity should come from all players, not just the physical ones like Wilson, Benny, or Marchy.

Wilson’s Performance

Tom Wilson also made his presence felt, engaging physically with multiple Czech players. One of his most notable plays was a powerful check against Radko Gudas, a former Washington Capitals teammate. Wilson logged 16:06 of ice time and managed to take one shot on goal.

Upcoming Matches

With the tournament in full swing, Team Canada is set to face Switzerland in their next group stage matchup. The Swiss team also secured a decisive victory on Thursday, topping France 4-0. This upcoming game will be crucial as both teams look to establish their dominance in Group A.