Canada came out firing on all cylinders and never really looked back, cruising to a convincing 5-1 victory over Slovakia on Sunday night at the 2026 IIHF World Championship.From the opening puck drop in Switzerland, the Canadians dictated the pace with speed, physicality, and elite skill up and down the lineup. What started as a back-and-forth battle quickly turned into a statement game once Canada found their stride, turning a 1-1 tie into a dominant third-period masterclass that left the pro-Slovakia crowd stunned and the Canadians celebrating a big Group B win.
Ottawa Senator Dylan Cozens makes it a 1-0 game for Canada at 14:28 of the first period the assist on the goal went to Sidney Crosby.– The play of the period was all Sidney Crosby. He grabbed the puck deep in his own end, right behind the icing line, and floated a perfect Hail Mary up the ice to linemate Dylan Cozens. Cozens tracked it down, burst in alone, and ripped a shot that clanged off the near post and in at 14:28, giving Canada a 1-0 lead.
Shots on goal in the first period were 11-8 for Canada
Kristian Pospisil (the brother of Calgary Flame Martin) ties the game up for Slovakia at 8:47 of the second period. The assists on the goal went to 19 year old NHL undrafted Luka Radivojevic the son of former NHLer Brako who hails from Minnesota and plays for Boston College in the NCAA and Mislav Rosandic
Shots on goal in the second period were 12-9 for the Slovakians
Kingston, Ontario native Gabriel Vilardi makes it 2-1 for Canada at 2:14 of the third period while on the Power Play. The assists on the goal went to John Tavares and Robert Thomas.–Slovakia tied it up at 8:47 on a sharp individual effort by Kristian Pospisil. At the Canadian blue line, he battled off Ryan O’Reilly, protected the puck, and drove into the high slot. From there, he beat Greaves cleanly to the far side under the glove, sending the pro-Slovakia fans into absolute frenzy.
John Tavares gives Canada a 3-1 lead at 4:54 of the third period. The assists on the goal going to Ryan O’Reilly and Morgan Rielly.– John Tavares put Canada up 3-1 early in the third. He jumped on a slick feed from Ryan O’Reilly, cruised into the slot with Morgan Rielly joining the rush, and wired a quick wrister past Hlavaj to blow the roof off the building and seize control of the game.
Ryan O’Reilly makes it 4-1 for the Canadians while shorthanded at 7:36 of the third period. The assist on the goal went to Evan Bouchard.–Ryan O’Reilly slammed the door on any Slovak comeback, making it 4-1. The veteran won a battle along the wall, spun off his check, and ripped a heavy wrister from the high slot that beat Hlavaj glove-side, quieting the crowd and putting the game firmly in Canada’s hands.
Macklin Celebrini makes it 5-1 for Canada at 9:21 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to Gabriel Vilardi and Mark Scheifele.–Celebrini iced it at 5-1 with a highlight-reel snipe. The teenage captain jumped into the rush, took a quick pass in the slot, and unleashed a laser wrister top-shelf past Hlavaj, sending the Canadian fans wild and putting the game completely out of reach.
Shots in the third period were 12-9 for the Slovaks. The Slovakians outshot the Canadians 32-29 in the game.
25 year old Cambridge, Ontario native Jet Greaves made 31 saves on the 32 shots that he faced for the win for the Canadians. For the Slovaks Iowa Wild’s Samuel Hlavaj stopped 24 of the 29 shots that he faced.
Canadas next game is Tuesday May 26th against The Czech Republic
Denmark defeated Italy 3-2 in a shootout at the 2026 IIHF Men’s World Championship. This result mathematically secures Denmark’s place in the top division for next year, while putting Italy in a must-win situation: they need a regulation victory over Slovenia tomorrow to avoid relegation to Division 1A. If Slovenia earns even a single point (overtime loss or better), Italy will be relegated. UPDATE: Final: Latvia 6, Great Britain 0 With this result, Great Britain is officially relegated to Division 1A. (The best they can do is tie Hungary, whom they’ve already lost to)
