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Ice hockey-Norway stun Sweden after 15 years to boost playoff hopes at World Championship

By Thomson Reuters May 23, 2026 | 7:35 PM

MONTREAL, May 23 (Reuters) – Norway turned special-teams pressure into an unlikely ​victory over Sweden ‌on Saturday, scoring twice while short-handed to beat their Nordic rivals 3-2 and ‌move ​closer to the ⁠playoff round ⁠at the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship.

Noah Steen scored two of Norway’s ​goals, Eirik Salsten delivered the winner midway ⁠through the ⁠third period and ​Henrik Haukeland made 32 saves ​as Norway held off ‌a late Swedish push.

Sweden got goals from Ivar Stenberg, and Lucas ⁠Raymond failed to win due to missed chances and costly ⁠turnovers.

Before ‌Saturday, Norway had ⁠beaten Sweden only ​once ‌in 19 world ​championship meetings — ⁠in a shootout 15 years ago in Bratislava.

(Reporting by Angelica Medina in Montreal; Editing by William ​Mallard)