photo: Matt Zambonin/IIHF
Connor Brown's goal early in the third broke a 3-3 tie and led Canada to a 5-3 victory over Sweden in the first game for both teams at the 2026 World Championship.
The last time these two powers met in the opening game was back in 1961, in Geneva. Canada won that game, 6-1. Overall, this was the 71st meeting between the teams, Canada winning number 38 today.
"We got better as the game went on," said Canadian goalie Jet Greaves, who faced 25 shots in his Team Canada debut. "We did a good job in the third period and we're excited to get the three points against a really good team. We have a lot of respect for them and know how many great players they have. But now we have to keep our foot on the gas."
"I think it's a great thing we get this kind of opponent right away," offered Sweden defender Mattias Ekholm. "I don't think there's a better team here, so the younger guys know this is a 'Welcome to the World Championship' moment."
The Canadians are right back at it tomorrow afternoon against Italy while Tre Kronor has an off day before a Sunday matinee against the Danes in a bronze-medal re-match from last year.
Each period had its own personality as Canada had leads of 2-0 and 3-2 only to see Sweden rally twice.
"We had some water and some wine," Ekholm continued. "The first was not good. We came out slow and they were all over us. And in the second, we flipped the script. We played really well and probably should have been up going into the third. And in the third, it was some of the details. But this game will help a lot of the young guys as we point to a future that will be bright."
The Canadians opened the scoring at 2:21, taking advantage of a turnover inside their own end. Robert Thomas brought the puck up ice on a 3-on-2, and John Tavares finished the play after a pass from defender Darnell Nurse, who joined in the rush.
The Swedes briefly thought they had tied the game midway through the period, but video review clearly indicated 18-year-old Ivar Stenberg high-sticked a Robert Hagg point shot into the net.
Although Canada incurred an early penalty, Tre Kronor took three in a row later in the period, and Canada scored on another advantage during a delayed penalty. Ryan O’Reilly banged in a loose puck from in front before the Swedes could touch the puck and get a whistle.
The second was a wild period, but one mostly that got away from Canada as the Swedes came out with more purpose. They dominated play early for several minutes and were rewarded at 8:21 when Jacob Larsson beat Greaves with a shot under the glove. Greaves had denied Albert Johansson moments earlier with a great pad save.
Then, just eight seconds after earning a power play, Tre Kronor tied the game. Lucas Raymond beat Greaves in pretty much the same place as Larsson, far post, under the glove, at 11:04.
Canada then took the lead again at 14:16. Dylan Holloway made a patient play carrying the puck into the Sweden end, and as both defenders peeled away from him, he had a clear shot on Hellberg, beating him to the glove side.
Just 77 seconds later, though, the Swedes tied it, 3-3. This time, a quick point shot from Mattias Ekholm rattled off the post to Greaves’s blocker side and went in.
Again, though, Canada took the lead early in the third after executing a textbook 3-on-3. Two quick passes from Porter Martone and Fraser Minten gave Connor Brown the shot on the back side, and he didn't miss, making it a 4-3 game at 3:21.
Later in the period, Dylan Cozens was sent in alone off a Martone pass and converted the breakaway at 12:59 to give the Canadians another two-goal lead.
The last time these two powers met in the opening game was back in 1961, in Geneva. Canada won that game, 6-1. Overall, this was the 71st meeting between the teams, Canada winning number 38 today.
"We got better as the game went on," said Canadian goalie Jet Greaves, who faced 25 shots in his Team Canada debut. "We did a good job in the third period and we're excited to get the three points against a really good team. We have a lot of respect for them and know how many great players they have. But now we have to keep our foot on the gas."
"I think it's a great thing we get this kind of opponent right away," offered Sweden defender Mattias Ekholm. "I don't think there's a better team here, so the younger guys know this is a 'Welcome to the World Championship' moment."
The Canadians are right back at it tomorrow afternoon against Italy while Tre Kronor has an off day before a Sunday matinee against the Danes in a bronze-medal re-match from last year.
Each period had its own personality as Canada had leads of 2-0 and 3-2 only to see Sweden rally twice.
"We had some water and some wine," Ekholm continued. "The first was not good. We came out slow and they were all over us. And in the second, we flipped the script. We played really well and probably should have been up going into the third. And in the third, it was some of the details. But this game will help a lot of the young guys as we point to a future that will be bright."
The Canadians opened the scoring at 2:21, taking advantage of a turnover inside their own end. Robert Thomas brought the puck up ice on a 3-on-2, and John Tavares finished the play after a pass from defender Darnell Nurse, who joined in the rush.
The Swedes briefly thought they had tied the game midway through the period, but video review clearly indicated 18-year-old Ivar Stenberg high-sticked a Robert Hagg point shot into the net.
Although Canada incurred an early penalty, Tre Kronor took three in a row later in the period, and Canada scored on another advantage during a delayed penalty. Ryan O’Reilly banged in a loose puck from in front before the Swedes could touch the puck and get a whistle.
The second was a wild period, but one mostly that got away from Canada as the Swedes came out with more purpose. They dominated play early for several minutes and were rewarded at 8:21 when Jacob Larsson beat Greaves with a shot under the glove. Greaves had denied Albert Johansson moments earlier with a great pad save.
Then, just eight seconds after earning a power play, Tre Kronor tied the game. Lucas Raymond beat Greaves in pretty much the same place as Larsson, far post, under the glove, at 11:04.
Canada then took the lead again at 14:16. Dylan Holloway made a patient play carrying the puck into the Sweden end, and as both defenders peeled away from him, he had a clear shot on Hellberg, beating him to the glove side.
Just 77 seconds later, though, the Swedes tied it, 3-3. This time, a quick point shot from Mattias Ekholm rattled off the post to Greaves’s blocker side and went in.
Again, though, Canada took the lead early in the third after executing a textbook 3-on-3. Two quick passes from Porter Martone and Fraser Minten gave Connor Brown the shot on the back side, and he didn't miss, making it a 4-3 game at 3:21.
Later in the period, Dylan Cozens was sent in alone off a Martone pass and converted the breakaway at 12:59 to give the Canadians another two-goal lead.
Canada vs Sweden - 2026 IIHF Men's World Championship
OF