His jersey makes every trip — Johnny Gaudreau always part of Team USA.#WinterOlympicspic.twitter.com/eXHevYtTfX

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) February 15, 2026

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Laura Fortino, 35, is now a three-time Olympian. She won gold gold in 2014, and silver in 2018, when she was also named an Olympic tournament All-Star while representing Canada.

Fortino, by all accounts, could be midway through her third season in the PWHL playing in the top four for any team in the league. But she's not. Fortino spent four seasons in the PWHPA leading up to the PWHL's founding, including finishing second in defensive scoring in the circuit's final season as a member of Team Harvey's. Her totals topped players like Megan Keller, Renta Fast, Erin Ambrose, and Ella Shelton. She also finished with more points than players like Hilary Knight and Alex Carpenter.

Instead of entering the PWHL, Fortino embarked on a different journey - one leading back to the Olympics, but this time as a member of Team Italy.

To gain her eligibility, Fortino had to play in Italy. She played a handful of games in 2023-24 with EV Bozen, then jumped to Neumarkt/Egna in 2024-25, and this season played a pair of games with Real Torino.

While Fortino only dressed in 12 games over three seasons, she was on the ice and in the gym regularly, including as the first woman ever to serve as an assistant coach in the OHL, where she coaches for the Brantford Bulldogs. 

Without the PWHL, without a full time team or league to play in, Fortino prepared herself as any professional would, and her impact at the 2026 Games was evident. Fortino led all players in the women's hockey tournament in time on ice averaging 27:55 per night. Accustomed to the long standing rivalry, albeit as a member of Team Canada, with the United States, Fortino capped off her Olympic journey playing 29:55 against Team USA in an incredibly competitive 6-0 quarterfinal loss.

Fortino was an anchor on Italy's blueline. Still, three years into the PWHL existence, and with only a dozen games in a league that would fall outside the top ten most competitive in globally in that span, Fortino could still step into a PWHL roster next season and contribute.

That however, is unlikely. What's more likely, is that the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics, and Italy's historic performance that saw the nation's first Olympic women's hockey wins, and first quarterfinal berth, will be Fortino's final games, or close to them. It's believed Fortino, who was married in September, plans to continue coaching, and potentially start a family. It's possible that Fortino could represent Italy at the Division 1A World Championships in April to help them look for promotion to the top group. Even if she does, Fortino's playing career is now in its final chapter. With the coaching resume she's already amassed, it could however, be in the cards for Fortino to join the PWHL in another role in the future. 

The three-time First Team All-American, and former CWHL Defender of the Year has done it all, for two nations. She was, and is, considered among the best in the world. 

If the 2026 Olympics were the hockey world's final opportunity to watch Laura Fortino play, at least on a large stage, it was a fitting end. Fortino starred, as she always has; was a visible leader, as she's always been; and left a national program in better standing than it was when she arrived, just has she's done before.

Jenn Gardiner’s Olympic debut has captured people's attention, but not for the reason other players would, and probably not what she had in mind.

Through four preliminary-round games, Gardiner is averaging 8:46 per game for Canada. Her time on ice by opponent: vs. Switzerland 9:18, vs. Czechia 9:27, vs. USA 6:18, vs. Finland 10:01 – an average of 8:46 per game.

The pattern is clear: she is the lowest-used forward in Canada’s lineup.

Against the United States — Canada’s toughest preliminary game — Gardiner ranked 12th out of 12 Canadian forwards in ice time.

This has fans outraged (and taking to social media) to question coach Troy Ryan's thinking. We haven't seen Gardiner on a line with her former Montreal Victoire linemates Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey at all, in the Rivalry Series, or at the Olympics. (Of course, Poulin was injured against Czechia but is back for the elimination round).

Meanwhile, Team Canada has continued its lackluster play overall, especially in a listless performance against the United States (a 5-0 loss). Wouldn't Gardiner's speed and smarts be an asset in games where younger players are having a larger impact overall?

2025 World Championship

At the 2025 WWC, Gardiner averaged 13:10 per game over five games:

• 11:04
• 14:15
• 12:36
• 11:57
• 16:00 (Gold Medal Game)

At the 2025 World Championship, Gardiner’s usage reflected a significantly larger role. Across five tracked games, she logged 11:04, 14:15, 12:36 and 11:57 in preliminary and semifinal play before skating 16:00 in the gold medal game. That 16-minute mark in a championship setting is particularly notable, signaling the coaches' trust in the unit with Poulin and Stacey, the same combination she had in Montréal last season. Gardiner was second in scoring behind only Poulin at the World Championship (6 goals, 4 assists).

The PWHL Context

Her time on ice in Montreal was also approximately 17:31 per game, and on the top line, she recorded five goals and 13 assists for 18 points in 30 games.

In Vancouver this season, Gardiner is averaging 17:46 per game over 16 appearances, with three goals and five assists for eight points. Those are steady middle-six minutes and she is used on both special teams. That 17–18 minute range is nearly double her Olympic average. But notably, she is also -5 on a (so far) struggling team.

Quarterfinal lines. 🇨🇦

Notre formation pour ce quart de finale. 🇨🇦#MilanoCortina2026pic.twitter.com/J43ZzIWvXC

— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) February 14, 2026

At the Olympics, Gardiner started on the fourth line with Kristin O’Neill and Brianne Jenner. In the second game, Julia Gosling replaced Jenner, and the line had instant chemistry. They have had puck possession and the ability to enter the zone with speed, contributing one even-strength goal in limited fourth-line minutes. (It's important to note that Gosling’s two goals against Finland came on the power play, separate from the unit’s five-on-five shifts).

Gardiner is behind her linemates in time on ice, as well: both Gosling and O'Neill are closer to the 11-minute mark than Gardiner's eight. 

That’s not sheltered middle-six deployment. That’s limited fourth-line usage in a shortened bench scenario. It has many wondering why the successful trio from last year isn't worth at least a look at the Olympics, where Canada has struggled to find offense.

At the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, Canada’s men’s ice hockey team has re-established itself as a dominant force on the international stage — blending NHL superstars, rising young talent, and disciplined team play to build one of the most impressive starts in the tournament’s preliminary round.

Dominant Start to the Tournament

Team Canada entered the Olympics as one of the favorites — buoyed by a roster stacked with NHL talent and led by captain Sidney Crosby alongside elite players like Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon. In their opening game, the Canadians made a statement with a commanding 5–0 win over Czechia. The offense was balanced and unstoppable:

• 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini scored the opening goal in his Olympic debut, becoming the youngest Canadian NHLer ever to score at the Games.
• Veterans such as Mark Stone, Bo Horvat, MacKinnon, and Nick Suzuki also found the back of the net.
• Goaltender Jordan Binnington posted a 26-save shutout, setting the tone early for Canada’s defensive strength.

Canada followed that with another impressive performance, cruising past Switzerland 5–1 in their next preliminary game. Connor McDavid finally lit the lamp for his first Olympic goal and also set up several others, while Sidney Crosby added his sixth career Olympic goal, continuing his legacy as one of Canada’s all-time Olympic greats.

Together, these victories secured Canada’s position at the top of Group A, earning them a bye into the quarterfinals and reinforcing their status as gold-medal contenders.

MORE: Full list of NHL players in the 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey tournament

Star Power and Depth Across the Roster

One of Canada’s greatest strengths at these Olympics is the mix of seasoned veterans and dynamic new stars:

• Sidney Crosby, wearing the captain’s “C,” brings invaluable leadership and Olympic experience, having previously won gold with Canada in 2010 and 2014.
• Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon are among the most elite NHL talents in the world, driving much of Canada’s offense and setting up scoring chances night after night.
• Macklin Celebrini, the youngest player on the roster, has already made headlines with his poise and scoring ability, injecting youth and energy into the lineup.

This combination of leadership and explosive skill has allowed Canada to control games from start to finish, overwhelming opponents with balanced scoring and relentless pressure.

Strategic Preparation Off the Ice

In a move that drew attention off the ice, the Canadian men’s hockey team opted to stay at a five-star hotel instead of the Olympic Village, a decision driven by a desire to focus completely on preparation and performance. Goaltender Logan Thompson explained that the choice was about optimizing their routine and mentality for success in pursuit of gold.

Looking Ahead in the Olympics

With a perfect record in group play so far and a quarterfinal bye secured, Canada enters the knockout rounds with momentum and confidence. Their performances have shown remarkable consistency on both ends of the ice — opportunistic scoring, disciplined defense, and strong goaltending — all essential components for a deep Olympic run.

As the tournament progresses toward elimination games and medal rounds, Team Canada is viewed as one of the top threats for gold, with a roster capable of delivering in high-pressure moments and a blend of experience and youthful skill that few teams can match.

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The post Team Canada proving why they are the best at the 2026 Winter Olympics appeared first on The Big Lead.

Feb. 13—ST. CLOUD — It was setting up to be a big afternoon for Kasey Senden and the Bemidji State women's hockey team.

The freshman defenseman scored her first college goal just under six minutes into the first period against St. Cloud State at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center. Hailey Armstrong made it 2-0 two and a half minutes later with a power-play goal.

However, the Huskies scored four times in the second period and twice in the third to pull out a 6-2 win in the series opener.

Julianna Labbé scored twice in 69 seconds to tie the game in the second period. Alice Sauriol and Sofianna Sundelin made it 4-2 before the second intermission.

Sydney Bryant and Sauriol scored in the third period for SCSU.

Bemidji State (6-22-3, 3-21-1 WCHA) goaltender Ava Hills stopped 31 shots in the loss. Jojo Chobak made 25 saves for St. Cloud State (10-19-2, 6-17-2 WCHA).

St. Cloud State 6, Bemidji State 2

BSU 2 0 0 — 2

SCSU 0 4 2 — 6

First period — BSU GOAL: Senden (Armstrong) 5:49; BSU GOAL: Armstrong (Bray, Smith) PPG, 8:07.

Second period — SCSU GOAL: Labbé (Sauriol, Lamb) 6:43; SCSU GOAL: Labbé (Bryant, Sauriol) 7:52; SCSU GOAL: Sauriol (Farrell) 11:15; SCSU GOAL: Sundelin (Sauriol, Wolfe) 15:34.

Third period — SCSU GOAL: Bryant (Farrell) 15:11; SCSU GOAL: Sauriol (Pion) 16:24.

Saves — Hills (BSU) 31; Chobak (SCSU) 25.

Slovakia’s men’s national hockey team has featured consistent rosters through the years. The team has featured players such as Miroslav Satan, Peter Bondra, Zigmund Palffy, Marian Gaborik, Zdeno Chara, and Marian Hossa. After their first appearance at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics, Slovakia’s best finish was third place at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Slovakia is ranked 9^th by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), but are they being overlooked at the Milano Cortina Olympics?

Slovakia Upsets Finland February 11^th

Slovakia’s first game came on Wednesday against Finland. The matchup showcased the IIHF’s 6^th–ranked Finland versus 9^th–ranked Slovakia. Finland entered the game as the favorite, but Slovakia set the tone, opening the first period with a goal. Finland would erase the deficit in the second period, only to see Slovakia score three times in the final period and cap off a 4-1 victory. Montreal Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky led Slovakia with two goals and one assist. Goaltender Samuel Hlavaj, a Minnesota Wild prospect, made 38 saves on 39 shots to lead Slovakia to victory in the team’s opening game.

OLYMPICS: 2026 Winter Olympics medal count, standings entering February 13

Slovakia Bests Italy February 13^th

Following the team’s victory over Finland, Slovakia faced off against Italy on Friday. Italy fell to Sweden 5-2 in their opening game but showed grit and determination trying to protect their home ice. Friday’s matchup didn’t see a goal until the second period, with Slovakia finding the net twice and Italy once. Slovakia and Italy both scored in the third period, and Slovakia came away with a 2-1 win. Forward Juraj Slafkovsky had an assist, bringing his 2026 Olympic point total to four. Slovakia started veteran Stanislav Skorvanek in net, and the goaltender made 20 saves on 22 shots. Slovakia’s third game, in Group B, is Saturday morning against Sweden.

Slovakia is Headed in the Right Direction

With two victories in two games, Slovakia leads Group B with six points. Sweden (IIHF Rank: 4^th) and Finland (IIHF Rank: 6^th) were the group’s favorites entering the Olympics. After two games, Slovakia is guaranteed a spot in the quarterfinals. Through two games, the team’s success has three Slovakian players highly ranked among the stats leaders. Forward Juraj Slafkovsky is the tournament leader with six points, forward Dalibor Dvorsky is tied for 7^th, and goaltender Samuel Hlavaj is 3^rd in goals against average (1.00) and save percentage (.975).

Canada and the United States are the favorites to meet in the Gold Medal game, but Slovakia gained momentum after clinching a spot in the quarterfinals. Slovakia has played consistent hockey in each of the first two games and has a recipe for success. The team’s offense is playing at a high level and ranks 1^st in tournament goals and 4^th in shot percentage. Slovakia needs to carry the momentum heading into Saturday’s final Group B game and the tournament’s quarterfinals. The team can have continued success by sticking to the blueprint they’ve used through two games. Slovakia’s defense has made it difficult for their opponents to get shots, their goaltenders are being stingy, and the offense has the 4^th–best shot percentage at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics. 

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The post 2026 Winter Olympics has a blossoming Cinderella story appeared first on The Big Lead.