Captain Aleksander Barkov (right) and Florida Panthers teammate Anton Lundell (left) were among the Finnish players who epitomized their team's all-business approach toward winning gold this year.
photo: © INTERNATIONAL ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION / ANDRE RINGUETTE
The highlight-reel goals, stellar saves, and medal celebrations at the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship are still fresh in the minds of hockey fans. As we’re now into the IIHF off-season, it’s a great time to look back on the exciting games we saw in Zurich and Fribourg – and 10 things we learned from all the action.
1. Finland just takes care of business
Little was left to chance as the unflappable, hard-working Finns won their first Ice Hockey World Championship since triumphing on home ice in Tampere in 2022. Captain Aleksander Barkov – a tournament all-star – set the tone with impeccable two-way play, epitomizing Suomi’s strength up the middle. Goalie Justus Annunen rose to the challenge of starting for the senior national team (1.47 GAA, 93.3 save percentage). And experienced D-men like all-star Henri Jokiharju and Mikko Lehtonen excelled at both ends.
Coach Ville Pennanen’s squad brought a balanced attack, with nine players chipping in three or more goals. For 20-year-old Konsta Helenius to tally the thrilling 1-0 overtime winner versus Switzerland signaled that Finland’s next generation will carry on the championship mentality.
2. The Swiss must do some soul-searching
Strictly by the numbers, coach Jan Cadieux’s NHL-heavy squad had everything going for it in Zurich: the all-star goalie in Leonardo Genoni, the top defenceman in captain Roman Josi, the leading scorer in forward Sven Andrighetto, the highest-powered offence with 48 goals, and the best power play (35.4 percent) and penalty-killing (96.3 percent). Not to mention home ice advantage embodied in the tournament’s only perfect record through the semis.
However, it all turned to dust when Switzerland failed to score a goal for the third consecutive gold medal game. That is a jaw-dropping statistic. The heartbroken Swiss need to identify the missing X-factor if they are to lock down their place among hockey’s elite.
3. Norway’s young players are difference-makers
Norway shocked Canada 3-2 in overtime to make history with its first bronze medal ever. For Noah Steen – a 21-year-old Tampa Bay prospect – to score the winner and thereby tie Latvian captain Rudolf Balcers for the tournament goals lead (seven) spoke volumes. The Norwegian kids are all right.
1. Finland just takes care of business
Little was left to chance as the unflappable, hard-working Finns won their first Ice Hockey World Championship since triumphing on home ice in Tampere in 2022. Captain Aleksander Barkov – a tournament all-star – set the tone with impeccable two-way play, epitomizing Suomi’s strength up the middle. Goalie Justus Annunen rose to the challenge of starting for the senior national team (1.47 GAA, 93.3 save percentage). And experienced D-men like all-star Henri Jokiharju and Mikko Lehtonen excelled at both ends.
Coach Ville Pennanen’s squad brought a balanced attack, with nine players chipping in three or more goals. For 20-year-old Konsta Helenius to tally the thrilling 1-0 overtime winner versus Switzerland signaled that Finland’s next generation will carry on the championship mentality.
2. The Swiss must do some soul-searching
Strictly by the numbers, coach Jan Cadieux’s NHL-heavy squad had everything going for it in Zurich: the all-star goalie in Leonardo Genoni, the top defenceman in captain Roman Josi, the leading scorer in forward Sven Andrighetto, the highest-powered offence with 48 goals, and the best power play (35.4 percent) and penalty-killing (96.3 percent). Not to mention home ice advantage embodied in the tournament’s only perfect record through the semis.
However, it all turned to dust when Switzerland failed to score a goal for the third consecutive gold medal game. That is a jaw-dropping statistic. The heartbroken Swiss need to identify the missing X-factor if they are to lock down their place among hockey’s elite.
3. Norway’s young players are difference-makers
Norway shocked Canada 3-2 in overtime to make history with its first bronze medal ever. For Noah Steen – a 21-year-old Tampa Bay prospect – to score the winner and thereby tie Latvian captain Rudolf Balcers for the tournament goals lead (seven) spoke volumes. The Norwegian kids are all right.
Young Norwegian star Noah Steen (#12) celebrates after scoring the overtime winner against Canada in the 2026 bronze medal game.
photo: © INTERNATIONAL ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION / MATT ZAMBONIN
They didn’t need 38-year-old NHL star Mats Zuccarello to upset Sweden 3-2 or Czechia 4-1 either. Tinus Luc Koblar – an 18-year-old Toronto prospect – led the team in scoring with six goals and nine points. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard – a 20-year-old Detroit prospect who could become Norway’s best power forward ever – had three goals and three assists in just five games. Stian Solberg – a 20-year-old Anaheim prospect – was a workhorse on defence. You get the picture.
Undeniably, the bronze medal couldn’t happen without veteran Henrik Haukeland earning Best Goalie honours. But the youth movement gives Norwegian fans reason to believe this might be more than a once-off.
4. Canada’s winning edge has eroded
Paul Henderson. Mario Lemieux. Jordan Eberle. Names like these are legendary in international hockey history because of the goals they scored at crucial moments to secure Canada’s standing as the top global power.
Lately, though, the Canadians have struggled to come up with those goals. The most high-profile example was February’s 2-1 overtime loss to the archrival U.S. in the Olympic gold medal game. But the trend is also evident at the Worlds.
In 2024, the Canadians’ medal hopes ended when they lost 3-2 to Switzerland in overtime in the semi-finals and 4-2 to Sweden in the bronze medal game. In 2025, they suffered a shocking 2-1 quarter-final loss to Denmark. And in 2026, they fell 4-2 to Finland in the semis and 3-2 to Norway in the bronze game – even though Robert Thomas did his best impression of the aforementioned heroes, scoring twice on Norway in the last two minutes to get to overtime. Clearly, other nations have improved their nerve and focus.
5. Group-stage losses are chances to learn
It’s a well-established pattern, and it held true in 2026. The Finns got jumped on early by Switzerland in their final group-stage game to determine first place in Group A, and lost 4-2. Norway had a wild back-and-forth duel with the Canadians and fell 6-5 in overtime. But when these teams clashed again with medals on the line, the former losers turned into highly motivated and educated winners. A little adversity earlier on rarely hurts.
6. Goalies over 30 keep on shining
U25 skaters like Canada’s Macklin Celebrini, Finland’s Anton Lundell, and Sweden’s Lucas Raymond are tearing it up both internationally and professionally. They are the future of our game. But in net, it’s comforting for 30-somethings to know they can still get it done.
Undeniably, the bronze medal couldn’t happen without veteran Henrik Haukeland earning Best Goalie honours. But the youth movement gives Norwegian fans reason to believe this might be more than a once-off.
4. Canada’s winning edge has eroded
Paul Henderson. Mario Lemieux. Jordan Eberle. Names like these are legendary in international hockey history because of the goals they scored at crucial moments to secure Canada’s standing as the top global power.
Lately, though, the Canadians have struggled to come up with those goals. The most high-profile example was February’s 2-1 overtime loss to the archrival U.S. in the Olympic gold medal game. But the trend is also evident at the Worlds.
In 2024, the Canadians’ medal hopes ended when they lost 3-2 to Switzerland in overtime in the semi-finals and 4-2 to Sweden in the bronze medal game. In 2025, they suffered a shocking 2-1 quarter-final loss to Denmark. And in 2026, they fell 4-2 to Finland in the semis and 3-2 to Norway in the bronze game – even though Robert Thomas did his best impression of the aforementioned heroes, scoring twice on Norway in the last two minutes to get to overtime. Clearly, other nations have improved their nerve and focus.
5. Group-stage losses are chances to learn
It’s a well-established pattern, and it held true in 2026. The Finns got jumped on early by Switzerland in their final group-stage game to determine first place in Group A, and lost 4-2. Norway had a wild back-and-forth duel with the Canadians and fell 6-5 in overtime. But when these teams clashed again with medals on the line, the former losers turned into highly motivated and educated winners. A little adversity earlier on rarely hurts.
6. Goalies over 30 keep on shining
U25 skaters like Canada’s Macklin Celebrini, Finland’s Anton Lundell, and Sweden’s Lucas Raymond are tearing it up both internationally and professionally. They are the future of our game. But in net, it’s comforting for 30-somethings to know they can still get it done.
At age 38, Swiss goalie Leonardo Genoni (#63) is the all-time shutouts leader at the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championnship.
photo: © INTERNATIONAL ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION / ANDRE RINGUETTE
The top three goalies at these Worlds by save percentage were Switzerland’s Leonardo Genoni (97.0, age 38), Latvia’s Kristers Gudlevskis (94.6, age 33), and Norway’s Henrik Haukeland (93.7, age 31). Not far behind was Slovenia’s Lukas Horak (92.2, age 32).
7. You’ve got to win the right games
This maxim holds true not only for medalists, but also for teams who simply aspire to remain among the world’s top 16 nations. For example, Hungary didn’t have a vintage tournament by any means – but the Magyars’ 5-0 rout of Great Britain was just what they needed to avoid relegation. Slovenia avoided complacency after earning an historic 3-2 overtime upset over Czechia and taking a point from Slovakia in a 5-4 shootout loss. The Slovenes still had to beat Italy in their last game to stay up, and they delivered an emphatic 5-1 win.
8. Captains know how to perform
These Worlds offered a master-class in leadership as players of different ages showed why they deserved to wear the “C.”
Exhibit A was the gold medal game with Finland’s Aleksander Barkov in full Stanley Cup and Selke Trophy mode overcoming Switzerland’s Roman Josi, the tournament MVP. But how about Canadian captain Macklin Celebrini adding Best Forward honours and getting named an all-star for the second time this year (including the Olympics)? Or Norway’s Andreas Martinsen nearing the 100-game mark at the Worlds en route to bronze? From the Latvian goal-scoring leader Rudolfs Balcers to the still-productive Czech ace Roman Cervenka, captains truly stepped up.
9. Win or lose, the Swiss fans rule
They just kept on singing, hopping, pounding drums, and generally living it up like the cow mascot Cooly. Fans in Switzerland made the atmosphere at games in both Zurich and Fribourg both welcoming and enthusiastic. It was red-and-white passion to the max. These were the best-attended Worlds ever in Switzerland, attracting a total of 466,314.
10. Growing parity spells excitement for 2027
In the last four years, we have seen four different IIHF WM gold medalists. Latvia (2023) and Norway (2026) became first-time WM bronze medalists, and Germany captured its first WM silver since 1953 (2023).
As nations continue to build toward the 2030 Olympics in France, plenty of intrigue surrounds the 2027 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Germany. Who will come out on top? Be sure to follow the games in Dusseldorf and Mannheim next year to find out.
7. You’ve got to win the right games
This maxim holds true not only for medalists, but also for teams who simply aspire to remain among the world’s top 16 nations. For example, Hungary didn’t have a vintage tournament by any means – but the Magyars’ 5-0 rout of Great Britain was just what they needed to avoid relegation. Slovenia avoided complacency after earning an historic 3-2 overtime upset over Czechia and taking a point from Slovakia in a 5-4 shootout loss. The Slovenes still had to beat Italy in their last game to stay up, and they delivered an emphatic 5-1 win.
8. Captains know how to perform
These Worlds offered a master-class in leadership as players of different ages showed why they deserved to wear the “C.”
Exhibit A was the gold medal game with Finland’s Aleksander Barkov in full Stanley Cup and Selke Trophy mode overcoming Switzerland’s Roman Josi, the tournament MVP. But how about Canadian captain Macklin Celebrini adding Best Forward honours and getting named an all-star for the second time this year (including the Olympics)? Or Norway’s Andreas Martinsen nearing the 100-game mark at the Worlds en route to bronze? From the Latvian goal-scoring leader Rudolfs Balcers to the still-productive Czech ace Roman Cervenka, captains truly stepped up.
9. Win or lose, the Swiss fans rule
They just kept on singing, hopping, pounding drums, and generally living it up like the cow mascot Cooly. Fans in Switzerland made the atmosphere at games in both Zurich and Fribourg both welcoming and enthusiastic. It was red-and-white passion to the max. These were the best-attended Worlds ever in Switzerland, attracting a total of 466,314.
10. Growing parity spells excitement for 2027
In the last four years, we have seen four different IIHF WM gold medalists. Latvia (2023) and Norway (2026) became first-time WM bronze medalists, and Germany captured its first WM silver since 1953 (2023).
As nations continue to build toward the 2030 Olympics in France, plenty of intrigue surrounds the 2027 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Germany. Who will come out on top? Be sure to follow the games in Dusseldorf and Mannheim next year to find out.