Connor Brown scores winner as Canada beats Sweden 5-3 at hockey world championship

Canada's Connor Brown, centre, celebrates teammates after scoring a goal during a Group B preliminary round game between Canada and Sweden at the men's ice hockey world championship in Fribourg, Switzerland, Friday, May 15, 2026. (Anthony Anex/Keystone via AP)

FRIBOURG — Connor Brown scored the winning goal in the third period and Canada opened its 2026 world hockey championship with a 5-3 win over Sweden on Friday.

Canada led 2-0 after the first period and 3-2 late in the second, only to find itself in a 3-3 tie after 40 minutes.

But the Canadians went in front for good 3:31 into the third when Brown took a cross-ice pass from Porter Martone and wired a shot past Swedish goalkeeper Magnus Hellberg.

John Tavares, Ryan O’Reilly, Dylan Holloway and Dylan Cozens also scored for Canada. Martone, Darnell Nurse and Fraser Minten added two assists each.

Jacob Larsson, Lucas Raymond and Mattias Ekholm scored for Sweden.

Jet Greaves stopped 25 shots for Canada, while Hellberg made 26 saves in the Swedish net.


Canada returns to action Saturday against Italy.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 15, 2026.