Norway bests Canada in overtime for 1st IIHF world championship medal

Defeat in bronze-medal game marked third straight year where Canada failed to hit podium at IIHF event

Published May 31, 2026  •  Last updated 3 minutes ago  •  2 minute read

Norway's forward #12 Noah Steen celebrates after scoring the winning goal during the IIHF Ice Hockey Men's World Championship bronze medal match between Canada and Norway at the Swiss Life Arena in Zurich on May 31, 2026. Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON /AFP via Getty Images

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Canada’s world hockey championship fate went from bad to Norse.

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The men’s national team was bounced from the podium on Sunday, losing the bronze-medal game 3-2 in overtime to Norway.

It was the third straight year where Canada failed to win a medal at the IIHF event.

Henrik Haukeland, who plays for the Straubing Tigers in the German elite league, made 44 saves to secure Norway its first top-division medal at the IIHF world championship, while Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Noah Steen scored the bronze-clinching goal 3:32 into overtime.

“I don’t even know what I feel right now,” Steen said, via the IIHF. “It’s beyond words. I’m so proud of this group and that we’ve pulled this off together.”

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Norway deserves ‘credit:’ Robert Thomas

Emilio Pettersen and Stian Solberg also scored as Norway pulled away early for a 2-0 lead, while Robert Thomas had a pair of goals in the final two minutes of regulation for Canada to force overtime.

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Jet Greaves stopped 21 shots for the Canucks, who have finished fourth twice and fifth the other time since winning the 2023 world championship.

“You have to give them a lot of credit,” Thomas said, via the IIHF. “They played hard. They took advantage of our mistakes and we had a lot of chances we didn’t score on. They played a really strong game and we didn’t play well enough.”

Finland’s goalkeeper #31 Justus Annunen celebrates with the trophy after Finland won the IIHF Ice Hockey Men’s World Championship final match between Switzerland and Finland at the Swiss Life Arena in Zurich on May 31, 2026. Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI /AFP via Getty Images

Finland claims 5th world title in OT

Finland, meanwhile, won its fifth world championship later in the day as Konsta Helenius scored 10:42 into overtime to beat Switzerland 1-0.

Justus Annunen turned aside 22 shots for the shutout, while Leonardo Genoni made 27 saves as Switzerland picked up its third straight silver medal.

Switzerland’s Roman Josi picked up the tournament MVP and top defender awards, Haukeland was named the top goalie, while Canada’s Macklin Celebrini was the top forward at the tournament.

The tournament all-star team was comprised of Genoni, Josi, Celebrini, Finnish defenceman Henri Jokiharju and forwards Sven Andrighetto (Switzerland) and Aleksander Barkov (Finland).

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