Stockholm – Canada began its participation in the ice hockey world championship with a resounding victory over Slovenia, defeating them 4-0 on Saturday.
Bo Horvat shined with two goals on power-play plays, while Nathan MacKinnon contributed with a goal and two assists. Noah Dobson also scored in a power-play situation.
Dylan Garand, for his part, made 11 saves, securing the goal for Canada in the Group A match held in the Swedish capital.
Horvat opened the scoring at 7:22 of the first period with a shot from the left circle.
Canada extended its lead in the second period, outshooting Slovenia 22-3, and scored three additional goals.
MacKinnon increased the lead to 2-0 at 3:41 of the second period. MacKinnon decided to join Canada after his team, the Colorado Avalanche, was eliminated in the first round of the NHL playoffs.
Horvat scored his second goal at 6:22 of the second period, and Dobson sealed the score with the 4-0 with 3:05 remaining in the same period.
Canada, with 28 titles, is the most successful nation in this tournament, although it finished in fourth place last year.
With MacKinnon and captain Sidney Crosby together, Canada is a clear favorite to win for the third time in the last five years.
In Herning, Denmark, Kazakhstan defeated Norway 2-1 in Group B.
Sweden will face Austria, and France will face Latvia in Stockholm later on Saturday; while Germany will take on Hungary and Switzerland, last year’s runner-up, will face Denmark in Herning.
