Tensions are rising on the international hockey stage after Matthew Tkachuk publicly criticized tournament officials, suggesting that recent games were effectively tilted in Canada’s favor. The outspoken American forward did not hold back, implying that officiating decisions played a decisive role in outcomes against both Switzerland and Czechia.

Following the tightly contested matchups, Tkachuk voiced frustration over what he described as inconsistent and questionable calls. According to him, key penalties and non-calls shifted momentum at crucial moments, leaving players and fans alike questioning the fairness of the competition.

While Tkachuk stopped short of presenting evidence of deliberate wrongdoing, his comments strongly suggested that the games felt “managed” in a way that benefited Canada. “You want it decided by the players,” he reportedly indicated, emphasizing that championships should be won through performance—not officiating.

The remarks have sparked debate across the hockey community. Supporters argue that Tkachuk is simply expressing what many players think but rarely say publicly. Critics, however, believe such accusations undermine the integrity of international competition and place unnecessary pressure on officials.

Neither tournament organizers nor Hockey Canada have issued detailed responses to the claims as of now. Officiating crews are typically reviewed internally, and formal complaints—if filed—are handled behind closed doors.

As emotions cool and attention shifts to upcoming fixtures, the controversy underscores just how high the stakes are in international play. Whether Tkachuk’s comments lead to further scrutiny of officiating standards remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the debate over fairness and accountability in elite hockey is far from over.

Canada blanks Czechs 5-0 in men’s hockey at Milan Cortina Olympics

MILAN — Macklin Celebrini opened the scoring, and Jordan Binnington made 26 saves for the shutout as Canada’s NHL stars opened their quest for gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics with a 5-0 victory over Czechia on Thursday.

Mark Stone, Bo Horvat, Nathan MacKinnon and Nick Suzuki had the other goals for the Canadians. Connor McDavid had three assists, while Sidney Crosby and Thomas Harley had two assists each.

Lukas Dostal stopped 31 shots for the overmatched Czechs.

Bo Horvat (14) of Team Canada celebrates his goal against Team Czechia with Drew Doughty (89) and Brad Marchand (63) during second period men’s Olympic hockey action at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy on Thursday, February 12, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

The NHL is back at the Olympics after a 12-year absence from the international spotlight. The league declined to attend the 2018 event in Pyeongchang, South Korea, before COVID-19 scuttled plans for a return in Beijing four years ago.

Canada, with a roster of 19 returnees from its victory at last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off, played its first game at an Olympics with NHLers in 4,373 days.

Switzerland topped France 4-0 in the early Group A game. The Canadians meet the Swiss on Friday, while the Czechs and French will tangle in the other matchup.

Canada was greeted by whistles and boos from the boisterous, colourful, Czech-heavy crowd at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena ahead of Thursday’s much-anticipated puck drop.

The Canadians came out flying in the opening moments, including a big hit from McDavid on Lukas Sedlak.

Canada’s lightning-quick power play failed to connect despite some decent looks before MacKinnon’s shot that flew in past Dostal’s glove was negated by a Suzuki tripping penalty.

Jordan Binnington (50) of Team Canada eyes the puck during third period men’s Olympic hockey action against Team Czechia at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy on Thursday, February 12, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Binnington — a hero at 4 Nations some 12 months ago — got the start despite some iffy numbers in the NHL this season. David Kampf had a great chance to put the Czechs in front later in the period, but the netminder made a desperation save while lying on the ice and the net staring his opponent in the face.

Celebrini, the youngest player in the tournament and the youngest Canadian to play at an Olympics involving the NHL, opened the scoring in the waning moments of the first period when he tipped Cale Makar’s hopeful point shot past Dostal with 5.7 seconds remaining on the clock.

The No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft was not yet eight years old the last time an NHL player representing Canada scored at the Olympics.

Canada’s Macklin Celebrini celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal during a preliminary round match of men’s ice hockey between Czechia and Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

The Canadians, wearing their white jerseys with a red Maple Leaf, got a nice stop from Binnington on David Pastrnak early in the second before doubling their lead.

Mitch Marner picked up the puck along the boards and delivered a beautiful saucer pass over a sprawling Czech player for Stone to tap home at 6:40.

McDavid then moved in on a 2-on-1 with Brandon Hagel, but was denied twice by Dostal on the doorstep, including on the rebound.

The Canadians kept coming and made it 3-0 at 17:26 when Horvat split a sloppy Czech defence and slid a puck between the pads.

Lukas Dostal (1) of Team Czechia makes a save on Connor McDavid (97) of Team Canada during second period men’s Olympic hockey action at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy on Thursday, February 12, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

It wasn’t all good news for the team in white, however, as defenceman Josh Morrisey left the game early in the period and didn’t return. International rules allow teams to dress 13 forwards and seven blueliners. Shea Theodore slotted in alongside Colyton Parayko in Morrissey’s spot. Travis Sanheim is the only other defender on the roster.

The Czech fans stayed in full voice throughout much of the game at the packed 11,600-seat venue, but were silenced midway through the third when MacKinnon scored on a power play off a setup from McDavid and Crosby at 7:42.

Suzuki made it 5-0 on another McDavid feed at 13:22 to cap a result that was never really in doubt.

Canada won best-on-best gold with its men’s stars at the 2002, 2010 and 2014 Games, with Crosby and defenceman Drew Doughty back from the latter two looking for a third finish atop a Games podium.

Canada’s last Olympic meeting with Czechia came six years ago in South Korea — minus NHLers — when the country secured a 6-4 victory and a bronze medal.

Canada fell to the Czechs in an infamous semifinal at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, when Wayne Gretzky was left out of the shootout. The Czechs went on to win gold.