Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

Rivalry continues: Canada set to face U.S. in quarterfinals at hockey worlds

Rivalry continues: Canada set to face U.S. in quarterfinals at hockey worlds | iNFOnews.ca
Canada's John Tavares, top, scores past Czechia's goaltender Dominik Pavlat during the Group B preliminary round between the Czech Republic and Canada at the men's ice hockey world championship in Fribourg, Switzerland, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (Laurent Gillieron/Keystone via AP)

FRIBOURG — Already assured of top spot in their pool, Canada finished off their preliminary round at the world hockey championship with a 3-2 win over Czechia on Tuesday.

Canada’s reward for finishing as the top seed in Pool B? Another knockout game against the archrival United States.

The defending champion Americans squeaked into the playoffs after finishing fourth in Pool A with a 4-1 win over Austria.

That set up a rematch of the gold-medal game from this year’s Milan-Cortina Olympics, which the U.S. won 2-1 in overtime. The teams also met in the final of the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, with Canada winning 3-2 in overtime.

Decorated centre Sidney Crosby and young captain Macklin Celebrini combined to score Canada’s first two goals of the game as the favourites battled back from a 2-0 deficit. John Tavares scored the winner midway through the third period.

The quarterfinals are scheduled for Thursday. Sweden versus Switzerland, Finland versus Czechia and Latvia versus Norway are the other matchups.


This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26, 2026.

Rivalry continues: Canada set to face U.S. in quarterfinals at hockey worlds | iNFOnews.ca
Canada’s Macklin Celebrini. second from right, and Sidney Crosby, right, celebrate after winning the the Group B preliminary round between the Czech Republic and Canada at the men’s ice hockey world championship in Fribourg, Switzerland, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (Anthony Anex/Keystone via AP)

News from © The Canadian Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Canadian Press

The Canadian Press is Canada's trusted news source and leader in providing real-time, bilingual multimedia stories across print, broadcast and digital platforms.

Related Articles