![[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 12, 2026; Milan, Italy; Michal Kempny of Czechia in action with Nathan Mackinnon of Canada in a men's ice hockey Group A match during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mike Segar/Reuters via Imagn Images](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_93,w_4993,h_2808/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/108/01khbvem9mfggk2rv48h.jpg "[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 12, 2026; Milan, Italy; Michal Kempny of Czechia in action with Nathan Mackinnon of Canada in a men's ice hockey Group A match during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mike Segar/Reuters via Imagn Images")
On Thursday, February 12, Team Canada took on Team Czechia and put a dagger through their hearts, coming away with a 5-0 blowout win. The Avalanche had four players play in the game—Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Devon Toews for Canada vs Martin Necas and for Czechia. It was mostly a quiet game for the Avalanche Olympians, minus a good goal for MacKinnon and a goal that got taken off the board due to a penalty.
It’s not a surprise by any means that MacKinnon made an impact. He played with a lot of energy and physicality in the dominant win, and even admitted after the game that he and his teammates were actually nervous leading up to the matchup. Cale Makar had an assist in the game, while Devon Toews did not register a point.
On Friday, Team Canada will take on Switzerland, who took down France 4-0 on Thursday. Timo Meier had two goals in that game, while Janis Moser and Damien Riet had one apiece. Former Avalanche Sven Andrighetto had seven shots for Switzerland, which led all players in that game.
Avalanche need to make noise in matchup vs Switzerland
If there is one thing that Colorado knows how to do, it is making noise in high-pressure games.
While someone such as Devon Toews isn’t known for his scoring abilities, he’ll again be paired with his Avalanche teammate Cale Makar, who he joked about recently. Toews was asked to define his game in three words and he responded with, “Pass To Cale.”
I have to admit that I laughed for probably five minnutes after reading that quote. Toews is a good puck handler who does not make a lot of mistakes. He has great knowledge of the game as he transitions from defending the Avs zone to making smart decisions in the offensive zone.
As for MacKinnon, well, he has the abilities to take over a game. He’s on Team Canada’s second line, while Sidney Crosby takes up the first center position. One thing that I’ve always noticed is how fast MacKinnon is, even when skating between two defenders. If you haven’t gotten a chance to see the first Canada game, just imagine MacKinnon x3. Team Canada is absolutely stacked. It really would be a surprise if they didn’t win a gold medal, in my opinion.
The Olympics have been a lot of fun to watch, and the hockey games have been action-packed. I fully expect Avalanche players to pick up their game throughout the rest of the tournament and provide a fun experience for Avs Nation going forward. Then, we’ll be getting back to Avalanche hockey in a couple of weeks.