Raymond debuts as Sweden narrowly escapes underdog Italy's spirited challenge. Dominant shots mask offensive struggles in a tense Olympic opening victory.

In the end, Team Italy lost to Team Sweden 5-2 at Santagiulia Arena on Wednesday in the first of three preliminary games for each team at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The result was expected.

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.

Sweden took home the silver medal the last time NHL players were allowed to participate in the Winter Games, and is seeking their first gold since 2006, the last time the Olympics were held in Italy.

Italy opens up the tournament against the Swedes on Wednesday in the biggest David vs. Goliath matchup in the preliminaries.

Wennberg and Sweden won the bronze medal at last year’s worlds in Stockholm, but a gold medal has been elusive. Now, 20 years after he saw Lidstrom’s winning goal against Finland as an 11-year-old, Wennberg has an opportunity to accomplish the same thing.

Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse guaranteed the United States its first Olympic medal in mixed doubles curling, reaching the final Monday with a 9-8 victory over Italy at the Milano Cortina Games.