Gudas plays well defensively as Czechia defeats France, while Granlund helps orchestrate Finland's crucial victory over rival Sweden.

MILAN (AP) — As top-seeded Team USA practiced a day before its quarterfinal matchup against host Italy, the Canadians were on the nearby main rink reminding everyone it might not be time to count them out of the women’s hockey Olympic tournament just yet.

The Finns were running on Florida Panthers power on Friday. Helping Finland take down rival Sweden, Anton Lundell scored in the first period of a 4-1 win on a goal that was assisted by Panthers teammates Eetu Luostarinen and Niko Mikkola.

Canucks' Kevin Lankinen and Finland lost 4-1 to Slovakia, while Elias Pettersson and Sweden won 5-2 against Italy in their first games of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

MILAN (AP) — Juraj Slafkovsky had Slovakia's only two goals four years ago in the first men's hockey game at the Beijing Olympics, a convincing loss to Finland. Slafkovsky again scored twice in the tournament opener.

Finland turned over a new leaf in its rivalry with Sweden via a 4-1 victory that had to be cathartic.

Finland ski jumping coach Igor Medved was sent home from the Olympics over an alcohol-related issue, in what was described as a violation of team conduct rules.