MILAN, Italy — Kristýna Kaltounková is doing what top picks are supposed to do: show up early, change games fast, and make the moment look smaller than it is.
The New York Sirens forward and 2025 PWHL First Overall Pick scored the first Olympic goal of her career Friday at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, opening the scoring in Czechia’s 4–3 shootout loss to Switzerland in Preliminary Round Group A play.
It won’t read as a win in the standings, but it reads as a statement — another data point in a season that’s already made Kaltounková one of the most dangerous finishers in women’s hockey.
Olympic Winter Games News:
- U.S. Curling Mixed Doubles Takes Advantage of Poor Game Plan from the Swiss
- U.S. Curling Mixed Doubles Team with a Big Three Pointer late upsets Canada
A fast strike on the biggest stage
In just her second game of her first Olympic Winter Games, Kaltounková struck at 1:32 of the first period, finishing a quick sequence to put Czechia in front. She was credited with a goal assisted by A. Sapovalivova and K. Hymlarova, and the early punch set the tone for a game that never stopped swinging.
For Czechia, the goal mattered beyond the highlight: it was a clean start against a disciplined Swiss team built to punish mistakes. For Kaltounková, it looked familiar — the same blend of pace and decisiveness that has defined her club season in New York.
Club form carried onto the Olympic Ice
Kaltounková arrived in Italy with momentum. Through 16 games with the Sirens, she has 11 goals, leading the PWHL — production that has quickly turned her from “No. 1 pick” into “nightly problem.”
That context is what makes Friday’s finish feel less like a surprise and more like a continuation: the release is quick, the routes are direct, and she doesn’t need much daylight to turn a half-chance into a goal.
How Switzerland pulled it back
Switzerland answered quickly, tying the game at 7:16 before Czechia reclaimed the lead on a goal by N. Mlynkova at 8:33. The second period brought penalties, but no scoring, and the third turned into a swing game.
Czechia extended its advantage on T. Plosova’s goal at 46:09, but Switzerland pushed back with urgency. A power-play strike by A. Muller at 49:33 cut the deficit, and L. Christen tied it at 57:40, forcing overtime and eventually a shootout.
In the shootout, Switzerland’s I. Wey delivered the decisive finish to secure the extra point, sealing a 4–3 win.
Sirens-on-Sirens: Vallario’s heavy minutes
Friday’s result also featured a notable PWHL crossover. New York Sirens defender Nicole Vallario, skating for Switzerland in her second Olympic Winter Games, logged 22:38 of ice time in the win as Switzerland survived Czechia’s early punch and late push.
Group A standings (as of Feb. 6)
| Rk | Team | GP | Pts | GDF | GF:GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 1 | 3 | +4 | 5:1 |
| 2 | Switzerland | 1 | 2 | +1 | 4:3 |
| 3 | Czechia | 2 | 1 | -5 | 4:9 |
What’s next
Switzerland returns to the ice Saturday at 3:10 p.m. ET against Canada. Czechia will look to respond Sunday at 3:10 p.m. ET in a matchup with Finland.
For Czechia, the takeaway is both blunt and encouraging: the margins are thin, and the finish wasn’t there in the shootout — but the team proved it can trade punches in Group A.
For the Sirens, the headline is even simpler. Their top pick is already delivering on the biggest stage. Kaltounková’s first Olympic goal won’t show up as two points, but it’s a marker — the kind that says the moment isn’t too big, and the next one might come even faster.
Official final
- Switzerland 4, Czechia 3 (SO)
- Shots on goal: Czechia 36, Switzerland 31
- Power play: Switzerland 1 PPG; Czechia 0 PPG
Bad Dawg SportsYour Source for Global Sports News
Get more insider coverage, quick-hit updates, and subscriber-only notes with the Bad Dawg Sports Newsletter — just $2/year.
Discover more from Bad Dawg Sports - Global Sports Coverage & Analysis
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
