Macklin Celebrini scores twice, Bruins forward Fraser Minten adds another as Canada blanks Italy at world championship

FRIBOURG, Switzerland — Former Boston University star Macklin Celebrini scored twice and Canada shut out Italy 6-0 at the ice hockey world championship on Saturday.

Read more The 58-year-old who helped win a college tennis title

In his three-point game, the 19-year-old Celebrini netted a one-timer from the right circle after receiving a cross-ice pass from Porter Martone to make it 3-0 with 3:04 remaining in the opening period.

Celebrini followed his first goal of the tournament with his second on a backhand shot high into the net at 2:09 in the middle period for 4-0.

Canada improved to 2-0 in Group B in Fribourg after beating Sweden 5-3 in the opening game on Friday.

Sidney Crosby, fresh from the NHL playoffs, registered an assist on the second goal by Celebrini. Dylan Holloway, Fraser Minten, Evan Bouchard, and Ryan O’Reilly also scored, and goaltender Cam Talbot stopped all 19 shots for the shutout.

Canada next plays Denmark on Monday.

Newcomer Italy returned to the top division for the first time since 2022.

Holloway and Minten scored 47 seconds apart midway through the opening period. Holloway received a pass from John Tavares in front of the goal to beat goaltender Davide Fadani, and Minten doubled the lead on a rebound.

Read more NCAA bans ex-Abilene Christian basketball player Airion Simmons for alleged role in throwing games

Bouchard, on a power play, and O’Reilly capped the scoring with goals 25 seconds apart late in the second.

Finland also recorded a second win, 4-1, over Hungary in Group A in Zurich.

Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov, who missed the entire season due to an injury, had two assists for Finland.

Another newcomer, Britain, lost to Austria 5-2. The Austrians scored three times in the first 10 minutes of their opening game in Zurich.

Britain answered with a couple of goals from David Clements and Liam Kirk 37 seconds apart in the first period. Austria stretched the lead with two more goals in the second when Britain managed just two shots on goal.

Peter Schneider scored twice for Austria.

In Fribourg, Marek Hrivik scored midway through the final period to lift Slovakia 2-1 over Norway.

Read more What’s next for the Boston Fleet? With expansion on deck, the roster could look dramatically different next season.