Milano Cortina 2026 Day 1: USA set record mark, Canada open with commanding win

Italy enjoyed a fairytale start against five-time Paralympic champions USA in front of the highest-ever attendance at a Paralympic Winter Games match at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Saturday (7 March).

The hosts struck just 25 seconds into the game and held the lead for nine minutes, but the United States responded with a dominant performance on their way to a record 14–1 victory in their opening Group A match-up.

Nine different players found the back of the net for Team USA, including captain Josh Pauls, who praised both the atmosphere and his teammates’ composure in front of 8,992 fans.

“Playing in front of a sold-out house was amazing. We could hear the crowd every time the Italians touched the puck,” Pauls said. “It’s just one game. I don’t think we can get wrapped up in one 45-minute effort, but I think it bodes well for the future and for playing Germany in two days.”

The game carried extra meaning for Pauls, whose 90 year old grandfather was born in Italy.

“He’s watching at home (in New Jersey), I hope. It means the world,” Pauls added. “For him to be born in Italy and then come over to the US and build a life and a family really showed me the value of hard work. He’s the reason I work as hard as I do.”

Italy’s early breakthrough came when Christoph Depaoli’s initial shot was stopped, but the rebound bounced back to him at the post for the 1-0 lead. USA answered just over three minutes later through David Eustace, assisted by Travis Dodson.

Italy nearly regained the lead when Pauls was called for a penalty bringing Nikko Landeros down, but goaltender Jen Lee made a stretching save to keep the game tied. From that moment on, momentum swung firmly in USA’s favour.

Brett Bolton scored his first Paralympic goal off a rebound from a Declan Farmer attempt, before Farmer added a late-period marker for a 3-1 lead at the first intermission.

We’ve set a new attendence record for Para Ice Hockey at the Paralympic Games ❤️

Grazie, Italy! https://t.co/x6IMbLQxWn

— Para Ice Hockey (@paraicehockey) March 7, 2026

The defending champions overwhelmed Italy in the second period, scoring five times in the opening 5:18 and adding two more before the break to make it 10-1. Farmer completed a hat trick, while Bolton, Kevin McKee, Kayden Beasley and Noah Grove also contributed.

Malik Jones, Evan Nichols, Jack Wallace and Eustace rounded out the scoring in the third period.

Santino Stilliano finished with 24 saves and Julian Kasslatter added 15 for Italy. Lee made one save for USA, as their defence did not allow a single shot on goal after Italy’s first period penalty.

“I am not happy about the score, that's for sure. We've played them in other tournaments, we've lost 2-0. I didn't expect to be losing by 13 points," said Italy's Landeros. “But it’s hockey, it's part of the sport. Things happen. They're No.1 in the world for a reason and they displayed that today. 

“Scoring the first goal was really nice, but you've got to keep that energy. Line shifts need to be quicker, and it also takes a lot of heart."

Canada 8-0 Slovakia

In the final game of the day, Canada comfortably defeated Slovakia 8-0 in Group B.

Vincent Boily and James Dunn led the way with two goals and one assist each, with Boily scoring in his Paralympic debut.

“It's incredible, but there's so much work behind that. I was a little bit stressed at first, but once you get into the rhythm of the game, it just comes a little bit easier. I'm just glad that worked out well today,” he said.

Canada managed to play the way they had hoped, he added:

“I like that all our lines were rolling, and we were playing the style of play we wanted, and it was pretty fun to play with this crowd today.”

Captain Martin Joppa said the result did not come as a surprise to Slovakia:

“We expected it. They are one of the top two teams in the world. We have a really short roster – from the bench we played eight skaters. They are faster, they are stronger, they are better. And that's it.”

To close out our first day of games at @milanocortina26, Canada did their homework against Slovakia, 8–0, starting the Paralympics on the right note. 🇨🇦🏒@milanocortina26 @Paralympics @HockeyCanada pic.twitter.com/fFB4gofOcO

— Para Ice Hockey (@paraicehockey) March 7, 2026

Dunn opened the scoring 6:46 into the game. Auren Halbert made it 2-0 less than three minutes later, as Tyler McGregor and Boily extended the lead before the first intermission.

Canada racked up 18 shots on goal in the second period but were denied on all but one of them by Slovakia’s goaltender Eduard Lepacek. Liam Hickey made it 5-0, assisted by McGregor, with 9:31 left in the frame.

Dunn and Boily added the sixth and seventh Canadian goals, before Dominic Cozzolino scored on the power play with 2:29 remaining.

Lepacek produced an impressive 43 saves, while Canadian goaltender Corbin Watson faced two shots.

Canada return to action on Monday (9 March), closing the session against Japan, while Slovakia meets neighbouring rivals Czechia earlier in the day in Group B.

China open the day against Italy in Group A, with the USA facing Germany later on Monday.

Complete schedule and statistics from Milano Cortina 2026 are available here.