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