Overtime Drama Defines Bronze Battle
Norway captured its first-ever medal at the 2026 IIHF Men’s Ice Hockey World Championship, edging Canada 3‑2 in a tense overtime after a tightly contested regulation period.
The decisive moment arrived 3 minutes and 32 seconds into the extra period when Noah Steen slipped the puck past Jet Greaves, sealing a bronze‑medal finish for the Norwegian side.
Canada had seemed on the brink of a comeback after falling behind 2‑0, with Robert Thomas netting both of the Canadian goals in the final minute of regulation to force overtime.
Norway’s regulation scoring was provided by Emilio Pettersen and Stian Solberg, while goaltender Henrik Haukeland turned away 44 shots, outdueling Canada’s Jet Greaves, who made 21 saves.
The Canadian roster, captained by teenage sensation Macklin Celebrini and featuring NHL veterans Sidney Crosby, Ryan O’Reilly, John Tavares and Mark Scheifele, had entered the tournament as heavy favorites after a flawless group stage and a quarter‑final victory over the United States.
Their run ended in the semifinals against Finland, a 4‑2 loss that left them to contest the bronze medal, a match that ultimately delivered a heartbreaking overtime defeat.