Team Canada won its first match at the 2024 IIHF Men's Ice Hockey World Championship from Gothenburg, Sweden. On Boxing Day, Canada beat Finland 5-2.
Two Canadians had multi-point games. Drummondville Voltigeurs defenseman and Arizona Coyotes first-round pick Maverick Lamoureux of Hawkesbury, Ontario and Brandon Witt Kings center and Detroit Red Wings first-round pick Nate Danielson of Edmonton, Alberta had one goal and one assist for two points each. The other three Canadians to score were Boston Bruins center Matthew Poitras of Ajax, Ontario and SALT. St. Marie Greyhounds center Owen Allard from Ottawa, Ontario, and Boston University forward Mac Celebrini from Vancouver, British Columbia.
This was a strong start for Canada, in contrast to last year when they lost the tournament opener 5-2 to the Czech Republic. However, it should be noted that Canada went on to win its next six matches last year in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and went on to win the tournament. This was the twentieth time in the history of the tournament that Canada had won the gold medal. As for the Czech Republic, it lost 6-2 to Slovakia on Monday in its first match in the tournament. Canada will play Latvia next Tuesday in Group Two.
