Celebrini scores pair to lead Canada to 6-0 victory over Italy at men's hockey worlds

Macklin Celebrini scored twice and added an assist to lead Canada to a 6-0 victory over Italy on Saturday at the world hockey championship.

In his three-point game, the 19-year-old Celebrini netted a one-timer from the right circle after receiving a cross-ice pass from Porter Martone to make it 3-0 with 3:04 remaining in the opening period.

Celebrini followed his first goal of the tournament with his second from a backhand shot high into the net at 2:09 in the middle period for 4-0.

Canada was two wins from two in Group B in Fribourg after beating Sweden 5-3 in their opening game on Friday.

Sidney Crosby, fresh from the NHL playoffs, registered the first assist on the second goal by Celebrini. Dylan Holloway, Fraser Minten, Evan Bouchard and Ryan O'Reilly also scored and goaltender Cam Talbot saved all 19 shots he faced. Canada next plays Denmark on Monday.

A pair of goals by Canada's captain Celebrini leads to win over Italy at worlds

Newcomer Italy returned to the top division for the first time since 2022.

Holloway and Minten scored 47 seconds apart midway through the opening period. Holloway received a pass from John Tavares in front of the goal to beat goaltender Davide Fadani and Minten doubled the lead on a rebound.

Bouchard, on a power play, and O'Reilly completed the shutout by scoring within 25 seconds late in the second.

Dylan Holloway, Fraser Minten, Evan Bouchard and Ryan O'Reilly also tallied for the Canadians, who won their second straight preliminary round game.

Finland also recorded a second win, 4-1, over Hungary in Group A in Zurich.

Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov, who missed the entire season due to an injury, had two assists for Finland.

Another newcomer, Britain, lost to Austria 5-2.