Bedard double pack

Lackluster opening win for defending champions Canada

Defending champions Canada started the Ice Hockey World Championship in Austria Group A in Prague on Saturday with a lackluster 4-2 win over underdog Great Britain. Exceptional talent Connor Bedard scored two goals in his first World Championship game, the 18-year-old scoring in the middle third to make it 3:1 and 4:1. The Czech Republic defeated Norway 6:3, while the USA outclassed runners-up Germany 6:1.

World Championship hosts the Czech Republic claimed their second victory after their opening win against Finland (1:0 n.p.). Outsiders Norway were 3-2 ahead after the first period thanks to three goals from six shots on goal, but were under constant pressure for the next 40 minutes. Ondrej Beranek (36th), Matej Stransky (46th), Libor Hajek (57th) and Ondrej Palat (60th/EN) ensured a well-deserved victory for the six-time world champions, who recorded 49:11 shots on goal.

The US boys put in a strong performance against Germany in Ostrava. Six players got on the scoresheet in the co-favorites' first success. In addition, Latvia, last year's World Cup bronze medallists, won 5:4 against newly promoted Poland only after extra time. France lost 3-1 to Kazakhstan.