Canada set the pace early in its opening round game of the men's hockey tournament and easily dispatched reigning silver medalists Germany 5-1 on Thursday.
The Canadian offense got hot early and scored three goals in the first period, all within about 5:30 of each other. The most impressive aspect of Canada's offense, though, was the balance.
MORE: Total medals for Canada at 2022 Olympics
All five of Canada's goals came from different players while three players — Eric O'Dell, Ben Street and 2021 fifth overall pick Kent Johnson — all had multiple points in the contest. Four of the five goals came from either third- or fourth-liners.
The other notable part of Canada's offense was its ability to score from seemingly anywhere. Maxim Noreau, for instance, scored a power play goal on a slapshot from well outside the faceoff circle, while Jordan Weal went top shelf for the fifth and final goal on a pass from behind the net into the slot.
Despite some early miscues, including a turnover that led to a goal, Canadian netminder Eddie Pasquale played a solid game and never really faced many significant or particularly threatening scoring chances.
Two of the biggest names for Canada — captain Eric Staal and young rising star Owen Power — were both held in check as neither recorded a point as the top line and top defensive pairing struggled to really catalyze the offense and change the game.
MORE: Canada gold medal tracker for 2022
Coach Claude Julien, who missed the game with fractured ribs, will return behind the bench for Canada's next game as Jeremy Colliton returns to his role as an assistant coach.
The Sporting News tracked the live score, updates and highlights throughout Canada vs. Germany. Follow below for complete coverage.
MORE: Watch CBC's 2022 Olympics coverage live with fuboTV
Canada vs. Germany score
| P1 | P2 | P3 | OT | F | |
| Canada | 3 | 1 | 1 | - | 5 |
| Germany | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | 1 |
Canada vs. Germany live updates, highlights from Olympics
Final: Canada 5, Germany 1
10:19 a.m.: Canada wins it 5-1 and picks up some early points in the Group stage. Team USA won 8-0 so goal differential could be key here for both teams as they look to advance to the quarterfinals.
10:15 a.m.: Just over three minutes left to play as this one feels all but academic now. Not necessarily a big win on paper, but the Canadians dispatch reigning silver medalists Germany with relative ease. Most notably all five goals came from different scorers.
10:05 a.m: GOAL CANADA. After another long stretch of not much happening, Jordan Weal was wide open in the slot and goes top shelf quite easily on a pass from behind the net. Canada 5, Germany 1 with 8:21 left.
9:57 a.m.: Six minutes gone here in the third an not much happening. A few shots but nothing particularly threatening from either team.
9:50 a.m.: The third and final period gets underway and already has been played heavily in the Canadians' offensive zone. Some early chances and rebounds, but can't cash in.
End second period: Canada 4, Germany 1
9:32 a.m.: The Canadians are forcing pressure late here in the second with just under two minutes to go. A lot of shots in from close range and a lot of good puck movement and good saves from Germany. Much better period from Germany, but still not enough.
9:23 a.m.: GOAL CANADA. Max Noreau, one of the few returning Olympians from 2018 and an assistant captain this year fires off a rocket of a slapshot right under the leg of the German goaltender from way outside the faceoff circle. Canada 4, Germany 1 with just over six minutes left.
Maxim Noreau restores Team Canada's lead to three... and captain Eric Staal was LOVING IT 🚨🙌 pic.twitter.com/JUfLM3f1SS
— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) February 10, 2022
9:18 a.m.: GOAL GERMANY. The Germans get on the board with 9:15 left in the second period after Eddie Pasquale gives up the puck in front of the net and former NHL'er Tobias Rieder is there to find his teammate for the goal. Canada 3, Germany 1 with 9:15 left.
9:14 a.m.: Back to even-strength as Canada kills the penalty. Germany 0-for-4 so far on the powerplay in this game.
9:10 a.m.: Germany goes on the powerplay yet again with 13:07 left in the second. They've been playing a much more disciplined second period and have gotten some of their best chances of the game here so far.
9:04 a.m.: Canada being aggressive here early, especially on the boards. But, they've coughed it up a few times and given Germany some legit chances.
9:02 a.m.: The Canadians kill the penalty as both teams fired off some good chances and actually got to set up their offenses and let plays develop as opposed to settling for one-timers.
End first period: Canada 3, Germany 0
8:43 a.m.: Canada kills both penalties as the Germans can't cash in despite some good chances, especially in front of the net. But with 40.5 seconds left, Canadian forward Josh Ho-Sang gets sent to the box for delay of game. This powerplay will leak into the second period.
8:40 a.m.: Another penalty against Team Canada as time expires on the first. The Germans have been pushing the pace and forcing themselves into the offensive zone. Best offensive stretch for Germany here thus far.
8:35 a.m.: With 5:13 left in the first, the Germans kill the penalty without any real pressure or major scoring chances from Canada as the Canadians go to the box now for the first time. Just about five minutes left here in the first.
8:31 a.m.: The first penalty of the game goes against Germany. It'll be two minutes for interference as Canada goes on the powerplay.
8:28 a.m.: GOAL CANADA. 32 seconds after Street's goal, longtime NHL vet Daniel Winnik finds the back of the net too. Three goals already for Canada on just six shots. Canada 3, Germany 0 with 9:41 left in the first.
It's ANOTHER GOAL for Team Canada 🚨🇨🇦
— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) February 10, 2022
Daniel Winnik extends the lead to 3-0 over Germany 🏒
WATCH: https://t.co/v4qfwF8pMx pic.twitter.com/JWYSwHv8Rb
8:26 a.m.: GOAL CANADA. Ben Street fires off a one-timer from the circle and he extends Team Canada's lead. Canada 2, Germany 0.
8:24 a.m.: A whistle for a hand pass sets the puck up at center ice. Again, a big emphasis on puck movement here early. Germany has fired off a few shots but none have really threatened and the Germans have been struggling with the forecheck and setting up any real offense.
8:22 a.m.: A whistle here at the 12:51 mark of the first sets up a faceoff in Germany's end of the ice.
8:16 a.m.: GOAL CANADA. A massive hit into the boards causes Germany to cough up the puck as Alex Grant is there to intercept it and fire it in for the goal. Canada 1, Germany 0 with 15:06 left in the first period.
CANADA SETTING THE TONE EARLY !
— Coolbet Canada 🇨🇦 (@CoolbetCanada) February 10, 2022
After Canada forced a turnover in the German zone, Alex Grant scores to give #TeamCanada a 1-0 lead ! Kent Johnson and Ben Street with the assists!https://t.co/wvrXVg98nA#IceHockey #Beijing2022 pic.twitter.com/XR3n1Tzn5k
8:15 a.m.: A lot of great puck movement by both teams here early but no shots and very little contact. Almost no whistles here through the first nearly five minutes.
8:12 a.m.: Team Germany wins the faceoff and the men's hockey is officially underway at the 2022 Olympics.
Canada vs. Germany start time
- Date: Thursday, Feb. 10
- Puck drop: 8:10 a.m. ET, 5:10 a.m. PT
One of the first men's ice hockey events of the 2022 Winter Olympics is scheduled to start at 8:10 a.m. ET. The matchup will take place at the Wukesong Sports Centre.
How to watch Canada Olympic hockey games
- TV channel: CBC TV, CBC News Network
- Live stream: CBC's Beijing 2022 website, CBC Gem, CBC Olympics app, fuboTV
The 2022 Winter Olympics will air live on CBC TV and the CBC News Network. Viewers will be able to watch Team Canada on multiple platforms.
Other games will be available to live stream on CBC's Olympics website and CBC Gem. Replays will air on TSN. You can also stream CBC's Olympics coverage live with fuboTV.
Olympics hockey schedule 2022
Wednesday, Feb. 9; Preliminary round
| Game | Time (ET) |
| ROC vs. Switzerland | 3:40 a.m. |
| Czechia vs. Denmark | 8:10 a.m. |
| Sweden vs. Latvia | 11:10 p.m. |
Thursday, Feb. 10; Preliminary round
| Game | Time (ET) |
| Finland vs. Slovakia | 3:40 a.m. |
| USA vs. China | 8:10 a.m. |
| Canada vs. Germany | 8:10 a.m. |
| Denmark vs. ROC | 11:10 p.m. |
Friday, Feb. 11; Preliminary round
| Game | Time (ET) |
| Czechia vs. Switzerland 1 | 3:40 a.m. |
| Sweden vs. Slovakia | 3:40 a.m. |
| Latvia vs. Finland | 8:10 a.m. |
| Canada vs. USA | 11:10 p.m. |
Saturday, Feb. 12; Preliminary round
| Game | Time (ET) |
| Germany vs. China | 3:40 a.m. |
| ROC vs. Czechia | 8:10 a.m. |
| Switzerland vs. Denmark | Noon |
| Slovakia vs. Latvia | 11:10 p.m. |
Sunday, Feb. 13; Preliminary round
| Game | Time (ET) |
| Finland vs. Sweden | 4:40 a.m. |
| China vs. Canada | 8:10 a.m. |
| USA vs. Germany | 8:10 a.m. |
Monday, Feb. 14; Qualification round
| Game | Time (ET) |
| Qualification Playoff 1 | 11:10 p.m. |
| Qualification Playoff 2 | 11:10 p.m. |
Tuesday, Feb. 15; Qualification round & Quarterfinals
| Game | Time (ET) |
| Qualification playoff 3 | 3:40 a.m. |
| Qualification playoff 4 | 8:10 a.m. |
| Quarterfinal 1 | 11:10 p.m. |
Wednesday Feb. 16; Quarterfinals
| Game | Time (ET) |
| Quarterfinal 2 | 1 a.m. |
| Quarterfinal 3 | 3:40 a.m. |
| Quarterfinal 4 | 8:30 a.m. |
Thursday, Feb. 17; Semifinal
| Game | Time (ET) |
| Semifinal 1 | 11:10 p.m. |
Friday, Feb. 18; Semifinal
| Game | Time (ET) |
| Semifinal 2 | 6:30 a.m. |
Saturday, Feb. 19: Medal games
| Game | Time (ET) |
| Bronze medal game | 8:10 a.m. |
| Gold medal game | 11:10 p.m. |