The Canadian national team has won its first game at the 2024 Men’s Ice Hockey World Championship in Prague, Czech Republic. On Saturday, Canada defeated Great Britain 4-2.
Team Canada was led by Connor Bedard of North Vancouver, British Columbia. Bedard, selected first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2023 National Hockey League Entry Draft, scored two goals. He scored the two goals on four shots on goal in the second period, less than four minutes apart.
Bedard was one of three Canadians to score multiple points in a game. Pittsburgh Penguins left winger Michael Bunting of Scarborough, Ontario, had a goal and an assist for two points, and Anaheim Ducks rookie defenseman Olen Zellweger of Calgary, Alberta, had two assists. The other Canadian scorer was Tampa Bay Lightning left winger Brandon Hagel of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
The Canadian national team is one of two countries to win a regular match in Group A. The other country is Switzerland, who beat Norway 5-2. In another Group A match, the Czech Republic beat Finland 1-0 in a dramatic penalty shootout.
Three countries have won in regulation in Group B. They are Sweden, who beat the USA 5-2, Germany, who beat Slovakia 6-4, and Kazakhstan, who beat France 3-1. Canada’s next game is against Denmark on Sunday.
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