MILAN (Azat TV) – Vegas Golden Knights forward Mark Stone delivered a pivotal shorthanded goal in the final seconds of the first period against France, propelling Team Canada to a commanding 3-1 lead at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The timely score not only secured a significant advantage but also reinforced Canada’s formidable status as a heavy favorite in the tournament’s preliminary rounds.
Stone’s goal came with just 3.4 seconds remaining on the clock in the opening frame, capitalizing on a French turnover. The Canadian forward stripped the puck and finished with a decisive backhand shot, effectively crushing any momentum France had gained after briefly tying the game. This critical marker at 11:19 of the first period followed earlier goals from Tom Wilson and Devon Toews, setting a dominant tone for Canada against their struggling opponent, as reported by TSN and Times of India.
Canada’s Dominant Start and Mark Stone’s Impact
Team Canada demonstrated overwhelming control throughout the initial period, firing 17 shots on goal compared to just six for France. French goaltender Julian Junca was forced to make 14 saves, but Stone’s late goal proved to be a psychological blow. The goal was Stone’s second of the tournament, highlighting his consistent offensive contribution to the Canadian squad, which also features generational talents like Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid.
Earlier in the period, Tom Wilson opened the scoring for Canada, followed by a quick equalizer from France’s Floran Douay. However, the tie was short-lived as Devon Toews restored Canada’s lead with assists from Crosby and Cale Makar. McDavid also added an assist on Wilson’s goal, moving him past Slovakia’s Juraj Slafkovsky to lead the tournament scoring list with seven points through preliminary round play.
Golden Knights Representation in Milan
Mark Stone is one of several Vegas Golden Knights players making a significant impact for their respective national teams at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Alongside Stone, fellow Golden Knights stars Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin are leading the charge for Team USA, which secured a 6-3 victory over Denmark. Other Golden Knights representatives include Rasmus Andersson (Sweden), Akira Schmid (Switzerland), and Tomas Hertl (Czech Republic), who contributed to Czechia’s 6-3 rebound win against France after an earlier defeat to Canada, according to Vegas Hockey Knight.
Canada’s strong showing, amplified by Stone’s crucial goal, positions them as a formidable contender for the gold medal. The Canadians hold an impressive 11-goal differential for the tournament, a key factor in determining the top seed in the knockout stage, especially in competition with the United States, which currently has a seven-goal differential. Every goal, particularly those scored under pressure like Stone’s shorthanded effort, contributes significantly to securing a favorable path through the elimination rounds.
Mark Stone’s ability to capitalize on high-stakes moments, exemplified by his shorthanded goal, underscores his value as a veteran leader and playmaker, providing Canada with critical momentum and reinforcing their status as the team to beat in the Olympic hockey tournament.