MILAN — Team Czechia steadied itself after a mid-game surge from France and secured its first victory of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, defeating France 6–3 at Milano Santagiulia Arena on Friday.

The turning point came late in the second period when Matej Stransky buried a short-handed go-ahead goal, silencing France’s momentum after three unanswered goals had briefly flipped the game on its head.

David Pastrňák, Martin Nečas, Michal Kempný and Stransky each recorded a goal and an assist, powering Czechia (1-0-1-0) in the Group A preliminary round matchup of the men’s hockey tournament. Goaltender Dan Vladar was rarely tested but sharp when called upon, stopping nine shots to backstop the win.

Louis Boudon delivered a standout performance for France (0-0-2-0), scoring twice and adding an assist in a spirited push that threatened to produce a stunning upset. Competing in its first Olympic tournament since Salt Lake City in 2002, and still seeking its first Olympic victory since Nagano in 1998, France showed flashes of offensive urgency but ultimately could not withstand Czechia’s depth and counterattack.

Hugo Gallet also scored for France.

Martin Neckar surrendered six goals on 26 shots before giving way to Julian Junca, who turned aside 13 in relief.

With the loss, France remains at the bottom of the Group A standings.

Nearly six minutes into the game, Nečas one-timed a precise pass from Pastrňák from the left circle for a power play goal to give Czechia 1-0 lead.

About eight minutes later, Kepny, who won a Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals in 2018, blasted a slap shot to double Czechia's lead.

Boudon opened France’s scoring in the tournament with a power-play goal at 1:01 of the second period, capitalizing on a rebound to pull his team within 2–1. He then orchestrated a momentum shift by leveling the game at 2–2 at 4:04, finishing a slick 2-on-1 opportunity created from a defensive-zone turnover he forced himself.

Just 1:50 later, Gallet gave France a brief lead at 3–2, striking with precision and timing to capitalize on the surge in energy that had briefly put Czechia on its heels.

After conceding three goals in just 4:53 of the second period to fall behind 3–2, Czechia responded with a decisive four-goal surge that turned the game firmly in its favor.

Pastrňák drew the teams level at 3–3 at 13:23, finishing on his second attempt after a thwarted wraparound, showcasing his persistence and composure under pressure.

The momentum shifted dramatically late in the period when Stransky scored a short-handed go-ahead goal at 19:28. With France caught in a line change during a power play, he received a stretch pass from Hronek, creating a fleeting 3-on-0 opportunity. Stransky deftly fed Faksa, who returned the puck, allowing him to bury the finish and give Czechia the lead.

Czechia quickly extended its advantage in the third period. Chlápek struck 1:05 in to make it 5–3, and captain Červenka capped the scoring with a breakaway goal at 1:53. Following Červenka’s finish, Neckar was replaced by Junca in goal.