Preliminary Round Highlights
Canada opened its campaign with a decisive 3-1 victory over Slovenia, a result that propelled the hosts to the top of the standings and secured the coveted top seed in the 2026 IIHF Men's World Championships. Goaltender Jet Greaves turned in a steady performance, making 12 saves to preserve the lead.
In a separate match, Germany recorded its first win of the tournament, downing Hungary 6-2. Forward Leon Gawanke was the offensive catalyst, delivering a hat trick that highlighted Germany’s attacking depth.
Finland remained unbeaten after a 4-0 shutout of Great Britain. What made the win notable was that all four goals were scored by Finnish defensemen, underscoring a balanced offensive approach.
Sweden also cruised to a 3-0 triumph over Italy, with Ivar Stenberg finding the net twice. The result left Italy still searching for its first point of the competition.
Group Standings
The preliminary round standings reflect a tightly contested Group A, where Switzerland and Finland are deadlocked at 15 points, while Group B sees Canada leading with 14 points ahead of Slovakia, which sits at 11. The top four teams in each group will advance to the knockout round.
Action will continue on Friday with a much‑anticipated clash between the United States and Latvia, a game that could further reshape the knockout‑round picture.