The 50th edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championship has started in the USA. The WJC 2026 games will be held in the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.
At the 18,000-seat Grand Casino Arena (home stadium of the Minnesota Wild), the Swedes defeated the Slovaks 3:2 in the opening match of the tournament.
In Group A, the hosts and defending champions from the USA, as well as Sweden, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Germany are included.
In Group B, alongside Canada, two last year's medalists (silver Finland, bronze Czech Republic) will compete, along with Denmark and Latvia.
Sweden (U20) — Slovakia (U-20) — 3:2
Goals: 1:0 — Frondell (29:05). 2:0 — Eklund (33:16). 2:1 — Pobezhal (39:55). 2:2 — Tomik (50:55). 3:2 — Stenberg (56:03).
