Canada dominates Sweden at women's hockey worlds opener

Jessie Eldridge scored twice and added an assist as Canada defeated Sweden 5-1 Friday in its world women's hockey championship opener.

Eldridge started on Canada's top line and ably filled the void left by injured captain Marie-Philip Poulin and star forward Sarah Fillier.

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The 28-year-old, from Barrie, Ont., who recently signed a two-year contract with the Professional Women's Hockey League champion Montréal Victoire, made her only other appearance at the women's world championship in 2022, where she had two points in seven games.

Defender Cooper Kendall had a goal and an assist for Canada, while Emily Clark and Rebecca Leslie also scored.

Jesse Eldridge leads Canada past Sweden at the worlds

Hanna Thuvik had Sweden's only goal.

Ann-Renée Desbiens made 11 saves for Canada. Ebba Svensson Traff stopped 33 shots for Sweden.

Canada next faces Japan on Sunday.

In Group A, the Czech Republic had to rally to beat Austria 4-1. Austria is playing in the top division for the first time. Katerina Mrazova led the Czechs with two goals and an assist.

Defending champion the United States opens later Friday against Switzerland in Group A and last year’s bronze medalist Finland faces host Denmark in Herning.

The U.S. and Canada are the tournament favorites, continuing a long-standing cross-border rivalry. Canada has won 13 world titles followed by the U.S. with 11 spanning the previous 24 championships.

The Americans have won 10 of the past 14 worlds and claimed the 2025 title in the Czech Republic and the Olympic gold medal at the Milan Cortina Games in February, beating Canada in