Team Canada falls to Sweden in second pre-tournament game
2026 IIHF World Junior Championship – Pre-Tournament
Final: 4 (SWE) – 2 (CAN)
Team Canada suffered their first pre-tournament setback on Saturday night, falling 4-2 to Sweden in their second exhibition game and first since roster cuts were made. The loss came in front of a sold-out crowd at Canada Life Place.
What appeared to be another scoreless opening period between the two sides took an unexpected turn following a delayed high-sticking penalty to Sweden. With former Brampton Steelheads goaltender Jack Ivankovic pulled for the extra attacker, Gavin McKenna attempted to avoid pressure while collecting a pass, but bobbled the puck and inadvertently sent it into the empty net, giving Sweden a 1-0 lead.
Canada responded with a strong second period, scoring twice to take its first lead of the game. Tig Iginla opened the scoring for the Canadians, burying a rebound off feeds from Michael Hage and Carson Carels.
Tij ties it! 🚨
Iginla nivelle la marque! 🚨#WorldJuniors | #MondialJunior pic.twitter.com/BjNOs271V7
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) December 21, 2025
Braeden Cootes then finished off a tic-tac-toe passing sequence from Harrison Brunicke and Brady Martin (Soo Greyhounds) to make it 2-1. Canada also limited Sweden to zero shots over the first 14 minutes of the frame.
Tic tac toe and Cootes gives 🇨🇦 the lead! 🚨
Cootes complète un superbe échange pour donner les devants au 🇨🇦! 🚨#WorldJuniors | #MondialJunior pic.twitter.com/ADY0mi7Lcu
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) December 21, 2025
However, that momentum shifted early in the third. On another Canadian power play, a bouncing puck at the blue line allowed Jack Berglund to break free on a shorthanded opportunity, tying the game at two. Sweden regained their lead later in the period when Ivar Stenberg found the back of the net, before Berglund sealed the outcome with an empty-net goal for his second of the night.
Canada went 0-for-5 on the power play and outshot Sweden 25-16.
“Sweden is a good team, and we know that we can’t underestimate anyone,” said defenceman Cameron Reid. “It’s hockey; mistakes are going to happen, but it’s about how many you can limit and how you respond when they do happen. We know this isn’t going to be an easy tournament. Every team is going to bring their best against us. Everyone wants to beat Canada and I think that’s an important lesson for this group to learn here today.”
Canada returns to pre-tournament action on Tuesday, December 23, in Mankato, Minn., where they will face Denmark. They will then open tournament play on Boxing Day against Czechia in Minneapolis, Minn.
OHL Player Game Stats
Canada
- Brady Martin (Soo Greyhounds) – 1A
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As the official Canadian broadcast partners of the IIHF World Junior Championship, TSN and RDS will broadcast all three of Canada’s pre-tournament games; check local listings for details.
For more information on Hockey Canada and the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, visit HockeyCanada.ca and iihf.com, or follow through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.
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