Lightning Olympic Delegation Already Making An Impact in Milan
- Mike Smith
- 4 minutes ago
- 4 min read
By Mike Smith | Thunderstruck Sports
Editor's Note: The writer intended to provide continual updates on the Tampa Bay Lightning players' progress through the preliminary round of the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics Hockey Tournament as the games were played. That is, until his first grandchild, Rock Lee Reed, arrived a few weeks early to brighten his world even more than Lightning hockey has already done. Now that he has returned to his post, let the updates continue.
The Tampa Bay Lightning are very much a presence in Milan, Italy, this Olympic season. With nine players representing eight countries, Bolts fans have been treated to some great hockey as the NHL season takes a pause for the international tournament.
With Lightning head coach Jon Cooper guiding Team Canada and GM Julian BriesBois serving as their managing director, the Lightning delegation is making an impact worldwide. As we move into the playoff qualifiers, let's look at how the Lightning shaped the now-concluded preliminary round:
Jake Guentzel - Team USA
Jake Guentzel has a goal in his three appearances for Team USA. He scored in the third period of the team's 6-3 win over Denmark on February 14th.
Team USA cruised through the Group C schedule by winning all three games and earning nine points. While on a seemingly collision course with Canada in the final, Guentzel and Team USA await the winner of the Sweden-Latvia playoff qualifier.
Brandon Hagel and Jon Cooper - Team Canada
That seemingly collision course with Team USA previously mentioned? If the schedule pans out, the experts predict Team Canada may hold all the cards.
Brandon Hagel scored his lone goal of the preliminary round in a 10-2 drubbing of France on Sunday. Hagel was also a +3 that day and continues to play a significant role on the ice.
The headpiece of Tam Canada's success is head coach Jon Cooper. As they rolled through Group A with defining wins against Switzerland, Czechia, and the aforementioned French, Cooper has shown his mastery of the international game.
It also doesn't hurt when you have names like Connor McDavid, Nathan McKinnon, and Sydney Crosby on your bench. This is Team Canada's gold medal to win, and Cooper will see that every opportunity to achieve that goal is realized.
Victor Hedman and Pontus Holmberg - Team Sweden
Lightning Captain Victor Hedman scored an empty net goal against Italy on February 11th. He has four shots on goal and leads the team in time on ice as he heads the Swedish defense. Pontus Holmberg is playing a more depth role for Team Sweden and has recorded only one shot through three games.
Sweden (2-1) finished third in Group B behind Slovakia and Finland, missing automatic advancement to the playoffs due to tiebreakers. They will play Latvia in a playoff qualifier on Tuesday.
Erik Cernak - Team Slovakia
Erik Cernak has been a consistent force on the ice for Team Slovakia. He has been a team leader on the ice, including 24:27 of ice time against Italy.
Slovakia (2-1, winner of Group B) will face off against Germany on Wednesday, February 18th.
JJ Moser - Team Switzerland
JJ Moser has been the highest-scoring Lightning player of the Olympics so far. The Swiss defenseman scored a goal and three assists as Team Switzerland earned two wins (including one in overtime) and an overtime loss for five points.
Group A second-place Switzerland will play Finland in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Oliver Bjorkstrand - Team Denmark
Oliver Bjorkstrand has an assist and eight shots on goal in three games. Seven of those shots came in the opening game against Germany. As part of the team's top line, the forward has been unable to find the back of the net so far. However, his shot total leads all Lightning players in Olympic play.
Team Denmark (1-2) faces Czechia in a playoff qualifier on Tuesday.
Zemgus Girgensons - Team Latvia
On the other side of the ice against Bjorkstrand Tuesday will be Lightning teammate Zemgus Girgensons. Girgensons recorded two assists in a win over Germany and one in their loss to Denmark. His three points are one behind Moser for the Bolt's Olympic points leader.
Wojciech Stachowiak - Team Germany
Wojciech Stachowiak has an assist so far in these Olympic Games, earning the point in Team Germany's opening win against Denmark in Group C.
Germany faces France in the playoff qualifier on Tuesday.
Introducing...
As stated above, this writer intended to cover the Olympic Games in greater depth during the preliminary round. However, the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry. Last week, my grandson arrived a few weeks early and happily disrupted my schedule. So I found myself traveling from Tampa to Richmond, VA, during the weekend of preliminary round games. I appreciate everyone's patience as I am back behind my desk following the best team in hockey, the Tampa Bay Lightning, as their players make their mark at the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics.
And without further ado, let me introduce to you, our readers, my first grandchild, Rock Lee Reed. Welcome to the world, Rocky! Your skates await you!
