A Night of Milestones
The 2026 ice hockey world championship got off to a dramatic start as Canada edged Sweden 5‑3 in the tournament’s opening match.
John Tavares opened the scoring for Canada, slipping the puck past the Swedish netminder to put his team ahead early.
Ryan O’Reilly extended the lead with a sharp backhand in the first period, making it 2‑0 before Sweden could respond.
Sweden fought back in the middle frame, scoring twice to level the game, but Canada answered when Dylan Holloway found the net to restore the lead.
Midway through the final period, Mattias Ekholm tied the contest at 3‑3 for Sweden, setting the stage for a tense finish.
Connor Brown struck early in the last five minutes, giving Canada a narrow advantage, and Dylan Cozens sealed the victory with a deflected backhand that slipped under the pads of the Swedish goalie.
The win marks Canada’s continued dominance, a nation that boasts 28 championship titles and had not lifted the trophy since three years ago, while the addition of veteran Sidney Crosby to the lineup added extra firepower.
Crosby, now an alternate captain, replaces John Tavares as one of the team’s leadership figures, underscoring the blend of youth and experience in the Canadian squad.
Other results from the day saw Finland defeat Germany 3‑1, while the United States, the defending champion, is set to meet host Switzerland later, and the Czech Republic will face Denmark in a later fixture.