Following Canada’s commanding 10–2 victory over France to conclude the 2026 Olympic men’s hockey group stage undefeated, the atmosphere inside the team’s locker room at the Milano arena stood in marked contrast to the scoreboard.

There was no celebratory music. No exuberant shouting. No prolonged revelry.

Instead, there was silence.

Head Coach Jon Cooper asked his players to remain seated before removing their gear. The request was not made to dissect the scoring plays, nor to commend the team for a decisive result. It was, rather, a moment of reflection and recalibration.

On the ice, Canada delivered a performance emblematic of its depth and discipline. The team established control early, executed efficiently in transition, and demonstrated clinical finishing throughout all three periods. Contributions came from multiple lines, underscoring roster balance and cohesion.

The result secured an undefeated record in group play — a significant achievement in Olympic competition, where parity among elite nations often narrows margins.

Yet, within the locker room, the focus shifted away from the magnitude of the scoreline.

Coach Cooper addressed the team with composure, emphasizing that the group stage, while important, represents only the preliminary phase of the tournament. According to team sources, his remarks centered on maintaining perspective, reinforcing discipline, and preparing for the heightened intensity of elimination rounds.

He reminded players that decisive victories, while affirming, must not lead to complacency. Olympic tournaments are defined not by early dominance but by performance under the pressure of single-elimination play.

The message was deliberate: advancement is earned daily, and expectations increase as the competition progresses.

Veteran players listened attentively. Younger members of the roster appeared equally focused, aware that the margin for error will narrow considerably in the knockout stage.

The absence of celebration was not an absence of pride. Rather, it reflected a culture grounded in professionalism and accountability.

Canada’s undefeated record in group play signals strength. However, the team’s internal response signals something equally important — maturity.

As the tournament advances, the emphasis will shift from statistical dominance to situational execution. Special teams, defensive structure, and composure in critical moments will determine outcomes.

In Milano, after a 10–2 victory that could have invited exuberance, Team Canada chose restraint.

In high-level international sport, that discipline may prove as decisive as any goal scored thus far.

Elmo interviews Tkachuk brothers at 2026 Olympics

Team USA linemates answer questions from Sesame Street star

Matthew and Brady Tkachuk got to talk to a special guest on Friday at the Olympic Village.

Elmo, the ever-positive Sesame Street character, interviewed the Tkachuk brothers as the men’s hockey tournament continues at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

During the interview, Elmo asked the brothers about being linemates throughout the tournament, as well as roommates.

“It’s been crazy so far,” Matthew told Elmo. “It’s been an absolute blast to be able to do it representing the red, white and blue.”

“We’re roommates,” said Brady. “So that’s been a lot of fun. Brings us back to when we were kids. And just been a lot of laughs.”

Matthew admitted that one of the challenges of being roommates with Brady is his snoring, a comment which Elmo seemed to enjoy.

“That kind of sounds like Bert and Ernie!” Elmo quipped.

Elmo ended the interview by playing “The Brother Test” with the Tkachuks, where Elmo asked a handful of rapid-fire questions, and Matthew and Brady had to decide which of the two of them is right for the answer.

The first question, of course, was “Who is a cookie monster?” (Brady and Matthew both pointed at each other), then then went on to go through who has the best dance moves, who is more likely to call mom, who’s a better cook and more.

Finally, Elmo asked, “Who’s ready to win a medal and make Team USA proud?” in which both brothers enthusiastically raised their hands.

“We’re gonna make you proud, Elmo” Matthew said.