The 2026 International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Hockey Championships commenced on Friday with Canada winning their first game of the tournament in Herning, Denmark. Montreal Victoire forward Jessie Eldridge of Barrie, Ontario led Canada in scoring with three points (two goals and one assist) as Canada defeated Sweden by a score of 5-1.
Two Canadians had a multi-point game. Defender Kendall Cooper of Burlington, Ontario, who is set to play for the Professional Women’s Hockey League expansion team in Las Vegas this upcoming season, had one goal and one assist for two points. The other two Canadian goal scorers were Canadian Olympic gold medalist Emily Clark of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and Rebecca Leslie of Ottawa, Ontario. Clark won the gold medal for Canada at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing. Like Cooper, Clark is set to play for a PWHL expansion franchise as she is joining the new team in Hamilton, Ontario. Leslie plays for her hometown team, the Ottawa Charge.
It was a strong start for Canada as they scored three first period goals. They then scored one goal in the second and third periods. In other action on Friday, the United States trounced Switzerland 7-0, the Czech Republic beat Austria 4-1 and Finland beat Denmark 4-1.
