Canada Falls 4-2 to Sweden in U18 World Championship Hockey 2026

Team Canada was sent packing early at the IIHF World U-18 Championship. Sweden beat Canada 4-2 in the quarterfinal, ending the back-to-back champions’ title defense and closing the door on another run at gold at this event.

Sweden Strikes First

Olle Karlsson put Sweden ahead just over two minutes into the first period, and Ludvig Andersson added another goal later in the frame. Gavin Betts was in goal for Canada, and that early two-goal hole set the tone for a night when Canada had to chase the game from the start.

Canada answered in the second period. Maddox Dagenais scored the first Canadian goal, then Callum Croskery deflected in the tying goal right before time expired in the period.

Canada’s Rally Meets Sweden

The tie did not last. Alexander Command scored for Sweden before Canada’s challenge led to a goalie-interference ruling, and Nils Bartholdsson later scored Sweden’s third goal on the power play in the third period. Canada also failed to capitalize on an early power play in that same period.

That sequence left Canada one goal short in the quarterfinal and ended any chance of extending its championship streak. The loss means Canada will not be defending champions at any IIHF tournament after leaving the World U-18 Championship early.

Quarterfinal Exit For Canada

For a team that arrived as the back-to-back champions, the margin was simple: Sweden got the first punch and the final punch. Canada had chances to settle the game, but the third-period power-play goal and the overturned Sweden score left no room to recover.

Canada’s tournament ended with a 4-2 loss, and the men’s World Championship now stands as the last chance to win gold this season.