Connor McDavid set the tone early for Team Canada in their Olympic opener, delivering a huge hit on Lukas Sedlak. After the game, Brad Marchand had the best reaction to the unexpected play.
Team Canada are the clear favorites to win the gold medal in Olympic hockey. Their star-studded roster features some of the biggest names in the sport: Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Cale Makar, and Nathan MacKinnon, all among the best players in the world.
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Impressed against Czechia
Despite being heavy favorites, Team Canada still impressed in their opening game against Team Czechia, cruising to a 5–0 win with goals from Macklin Celebrini, Mark Stone, Bo Horvat, Nathan MacKinnon, and Nick Suzuki. McDavid recorded three assists—but he also contributed in a far less typical way.
Not known for his physical play, McDavid stunned fans by delivering a massive hit on Sedlak in his very first shift.
“All the boys got pretty fired up. Just lined the guy up really well and blew him up. So it really set the tone there,” Suzuki told TSN after the game.
Brad Marchand had the best reaction
Marchand, however, had the most entertaining reaction. McDavid’s linemate Tom Wilson shared what Marchand said on the bench.
“Marchy, honestly, when I got back to the bench, said, ‘Great hit, Willy.’ I said, ‘That was Davo.’ And he said, ‘Oh my goodness, looked like you,’” Wilson told TSN.
Canada will face Team Switzerland on Friday afternoon in their next matchup.
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