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.

Here's a look at the box score from Sweden's opening-day win over Italy.

There were times when Team Sweden looked nervous. Times where it looked like it was on the same level as a team with no NHL players. And times where a stunning upset to Team Italy looked possible. But being the team full of NHL players it is,

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.

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

LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — Some saw it as a ground-breaking moment for transgender athletes when freestyle skier Elis Lundholm competed at the Winter Olympics. As for Lundholm? He’s just focused on the sport.