In the crisp afternoon air of Fribourg’s BCF Arena, Canada cruised to a businesslike 3-1 win over Slovenia, tightening their hold on top spot in Group B at the 2026 IIHF World Championship.It wasn’t flashy, but it didn’t need to be. In a tame, fast-paced game played mostly in the Slovenian zone, the Canadians surged ahead early and never looked back. Emmitt Finnie delivered the highlight, potting his first senior international goal and adding an assist in under six minutes of ice time while earning Player of the Game honours.The young Detroit Red Wings prospect was beaming afterward. “My role here is a little different from what I’m used to, but everyone here is a great player,” Finnie said. “Whether I’m playing or not it’s not going to deteriorate my confidence. I’m just trying to work as hard as I can and make an impact when I’m out there.”John Tavares was equally thrilled: “I’m thrilled for him to get on the board and be named Best Player of the game.”The victory keeps Canada perfect at 5-0, their only blemish an overtime decision against Norway. The machine keeps rolling.
Columbus Blue Jacket Denton Mateychuk makes it a 1-0 game for the Canadians at 11:07 of the first period. The assists on the goal went to a pair of former Kamloops Blazers alumni in Fraser Minten and Emmitt Finnie. –The young Detroit Red Wings rookie (Finnie), in just his second game of the tournament (with Dawson Mercer stepping aside as the healthy scratch), threaded a perfect pass through a mess of sticks and legs to Denton Mateychuk at the point. Mateychuk saw he had room to walk in and let it rip. He picked out a hole right under the goalie’s glove and buried it cleanly, giving Canada a 1-0 lead.
Shots on goal in the first period were 11-2 for Canada
Dylan Cozens makes it a 2-0 game at 13:14 of the second period with the assists on the goal going to Darnell Nurse and Sidney Crosby.–Canada stretched it to 2-0 at 13:14 on a total fluke. Darnell Nurse unloaded a big booming slapper from the point, but halfway through the shot his stick snapped in half and went flying. The puck just kind of wobbled forward awkwardly, and Dylan Cozens spun around and ripped it under Us’s glove before the Slovenian goalie could even react.
Shots on goal in the second period were 14-5 for the Canadians.
Emmitt Finnie makes it 3-0 for the Canadians at 6:31 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to Morgan Rielly and Connor Brown.–Finnie got his goal early in the third period by going to the net and tipping in a Rielly point shot at 6:41, his first career goal with Team Canada.
22 year old Rozle Bohinc who plays for HK Olimpija Ljubljana got the Slovenians a goal at 18:55 of the third period. The assist on the goal went to 2024 4th round Tampa Bay Lightning draft pick Jan Golicic who played 3 seasons in the QMJHL now plays for Quinnipiac of the NCAA.
Shots on goal in the third period were 7 each. The Canadians outshot the Slovenians 32-14
Jet Greaves made 13 saves on the 14 shots that he faced for the win for the Canadians. For the Slovenians Zan Us made 29 saves on the 32 shots that he faced.
Canada’s next game is Sunday May 25th against Slovakia.
