A historic night in Zurich
The 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship delivered a roller‑coaster finish on Sunday as Norway and Canada met in the bronze‑medal game. What began as a dominant first period for the Canadians turned into a nail‑biting contest that swung back and forth, ultimately culminating in a dramatic overtime winner for the Scandinavians.
Canada entered the tournament as favorites, but a 2‑0 lead in the second period gave way to a late surge. Robert Thomas, the team’s veteran forward, struck twice in the dying minutes of regulation to force sudden death, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
The overtime period was equally tense. Norway’s Noah Steen, who had been quiet for most of the game, received a pass in the slot and fired a quick wrist shot that slipped past the Canadian netminder, sealing a 3‑2 victory and the bronze medal.
The celebration was not confined to the locker room. Norway’s prime minister, Jonas Gahr Store, took to social media to congratulate the team, praising their perseverance and the historic milestone they achieved for the country’s hockey legacy.
While Norway celebrated, the tournament’s attention now turns to the championship final scheduled later on Sunday, where Switzerland will face Finland in a clash that promises another high‑stakes encounter.