Watch Sharks star Macklin Celebrini score in Team Canada’s opening Olympic win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Sharks superstar Macklin Celebrini started his Olympic career with a bang.
The 19-year-old scored Team Canada’s opening goal in its 5-0 win over Team Czechia in the Group A Preliminary Round game on Thursday at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milano, Italy.
Celebrini deflected Team Canada defenseman Cale Makar’s shot past Czechia goalie Lukáš Dostál with 5.7 seconds remaining in the first period.
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The 2024 No. 1 overall draft pick became the fourth teenager to score a goal in his first-ever Olympic period,
joining Olli Määttä (Feb. 13, 2014 with Finland), Ilya Kovalchuk (Feb. 15, 2002 with Russia) and Oliver Setzinger (Feb. 9, 2002 with Austria), per NHL PR.
By far the youngest player on Team Canada’s roster, Celebrini made his presence felt immediately, setting the tone for a dominant win.
Celebrini entered the NHL’s Olympic break fourth in the league with 81 points, behind Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (96), Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (93) and Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov (91).
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Celebrini has the Sharks circling the Western Conference playoff picture, and his experience with Team Canada during the Olympics could give him the boost he needs when the season resumes to get San Jose back in the postseason.
Team Canada’s next game comes against Team Switzerland on Friday at 12:10 p.m. PT in Milano.
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