Canada announced a commanding 10-2 victory over France on Sunday, completing round-robin play at the Olympics with dominant offensive production.
The team secured the No. 1 seed in the playoff bracket unless the United States defeats Germany by 10 or more goals later Sunday.
Canada’s performance marked the first time the men’s hockey team has scored 10 goals in an Olympic contest since 1992.
Macklin Celebrini led Canada’s offensive surge with two goals and three points. The forward converted on a penalty shot after being taken down during the play.
In international hockey, the head coach selects which player attempts the penalty shot regardless of who drew the penalty.
“Ref comes over and says, ‘Hey, Coop, choice is yours,'” Canada coach Jon Cooper explained, according to NHL Network’s Jackie Redmond. “So I look over, and Macklin’s already getting ready, and the boys all look at me like, ‘You gonna change it up, Coop?’ And we all just start laughing, and I was like, ‘Nope! Everyone’s here to see the kid!”
Connor McDavid, Mark Stone, and Sidney Crosby each recorded one goal and two assists in the victory.
McDavid leads the Olympics with nine points through three games.
Crosby passed Jarome Iginla as the top-scoring Canadian men’s player in Olympic Games featuring NHL players.
Tom Wilson fought Pierre Crinon in the third period after Crinon hit Nathan MacKinnon earlier in the frame. Wilson won’t face further discipline, reports Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
“That guy didn’t want to fight Tom,” MacKinnon said, according to Winnipeg Free Press’ Mike McIntyre. “He just wanted to wrestle. I wouldn’t want to fight Tom either.”
The No. 2 seed will likely face Sweden in the quarterfinal barring an upset in the Swedes’ qualification game.
The men’s hockey quarterfinals will take place Wednesday.
