Canadian Paralympic Committee
Team Canada wasted no time reminding the world why they are among the best in Para ice hockey.
The reigning Paralympic silver-medal-winning Canadians opened the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games with a huge 8-0 win over Slovakia on Saturday.
The Canadians dominated every facet of the game, outshooting their opponent 51-2. Canada goalie Corbin Watson was perfect on a quiet day at his office, saving both Slovak shots on goal.
Defenceman Auren Halbert, in his first Paralympic appearance, led the way for Canada notching a goal and an assist. The 23-year-old was all over the ice for Canada, and helped hold the Slovaks to few offensive opportunities.
“I feel like the last four years have been manifested into today,” Halbert said after the game. “I’m really trying to appreciate every second of it.”
Head coach Boris Rybalka took notice of Halbert’s confident play.
“To me he’s the best defenceman in the world,” said Rybalka about the young star. “I’ve seen what he’s all about, and now the world gets to see what (he’s) all about.”
James Dunn got the scoring started for Canada just 06:46 into the first period, his first of two on the day. He later added an assist for three points in the contest. It is his third Paralympic tournament, winning silvers in 2018 and 2022.
Halbert kept the scoring going for Canada making it a 2-0 game. Captain Tyler McGregor potted his first of the tournament to make it 3-0, then Vincent Boily scored his first of two on the day to give Canada a 4-0 lead heading into the second.
The Canadians didn’t look back.
Liam Hickey scored early in the second to make it 5-0. He finished with a goal and two assists, tying Dunn with a team-high three points in the game. Dunn’s second goal made it 6-0, which was the score heading into the third.
Boily’s second goal made it 7-0, then Dominic Cozzolino scored with 2:29 to play to make it 8-0, Canada’s first powerplay goal of the tournament.
It was an admirable performance by Slovakian netminder Eduard Lepacek, who came up with 43 saves in what was a constant barrage of Canadian opportunities.
“It was a great crowd,” said coach Rybalka. “Lots of red and white in the stands, a lot of family.”
Canada leaps to the top of Group B with the win (due to +8 goal differential). They take on Team Japan on Monday, who lost 3-2 to Czechia earlier Saturday.
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