Sweden, Canada victorious at Worlds

Posted: Thu May 8 7:04 PM

Quebec City, QC (Sports Network) - Hockey powerhouses Sweden and Canada each posted wins on Thursday at the 2008 World Hockey Championship.

The first game of the day in Quebec's capital saw Sweden avenge its surprise loss to Switzerland on Wednesday by dominating Denmark in an 8-1 victory in a Group E Qualifying Round game.

Tony Martensson tallied twice and Mattias Weinhandl had a goal and three assists. Henrik Lundqvist, playing in his first tournament game, stopped 17- of-18 shots to earn the win.

Kasper Degn tallied Denmark's lone goal.

Sweden plays Russia on Saturday, while the Danes face Switzerland on Sunday.

In Halifax, a tight defensive effort by Norway wasn't enough, as Canada slipped away with a 2-1 win.

Rick Nash scored the game-winner with 3:58 left in regulation, while Canada skated with the man advantage. Mike Green netted a first-period power-play goal and Pascal Leclaire made 15 saves.

Mads Hansen scored for the Norwegians, which got a spectacular 50-save performance from Pal Grotnes in defeat.

Canada squares off against Germany on Saturday and Norway plays Latvia on Sunday.