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DeMelo, Vilardi pick up assists in Canada’s opening win over Sweden
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Photo credit: © Brett Holmes-Imagn Images
Evan Waldner
May 15, 2026, 18:49 EDTUpdated: May 15, 2026, 18:50 EDT
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A pair of Winnipeg Jets recorded an assist each in Team Canada’s 5-3 victory over Sweden today to open the preliminary round of the 2026 IIHF World Championship.
After Canada took an early lead on a setup from Darnell Nurse to John Tavares, the Canadians doubled their advantage in the later stages of the opening frame.
Morgan Rielly fired a shot from the point that was kicked out by Magnus Hellberg to Gabriel Vilardi at the top of the crease. Vilardi tried to backhand the rebound on goal, but the puck remained loose in front, where Ryan O’Reilly buried it to make it 2-0. Vilardi picked up an assist on the play.
Mark Scheifele had a glorious opportunity to get on the scoresheet midway through the first period, but a strong defensive play by Mattias Ekholm prevented him from tapping the puck into an open net.
Sweden responded in the second period, tying the game on goals from Jacob Larsson and Lucas Raymond.
Canada regained the lead just a couple of minutes after Raymond’s equalizer when Dylan Holloway skated into the slot and snapped a shot past Hellberg to make it 3-2. Fraser Minten and Dylan DeMelo earned the assists.
Ekholm tied the game once again just over a minute later, making it 3-3.
Former Edmonton Oilers forward Connor Brown scored the eventual game-winning goal a little more than three minutes into the third period after a slick passing sequence involving Brown, Minten, and Porter Martone.
Dylan Cozens added an insurance marker with seven minutes remaining to extend Canada’s lead to 5-3.
Canada held on to improve to 1-0-0-0 and now sits second in Group B behind Czechia. Jet Greaves turned aside 22 shots for a .880 save percentage.
Italy will be Canada’s next opponent as the preliminary round continues tomorrow at 9:20 a.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on TSN.

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