Milano Cortina 2026 Day 1: USA rolls to win over Italy in front of record crowd

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.

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 closing day of day one, Paralympic silver medallists Canada beat Slovakia 8-0 in Group B.” 

More to follow soon.