Norway was just minutes away on Thursday from the biggest upset of the ice hockey World Championships so far, but the tournament favorite Canada ultimately saved themselves in overtime with a score of 6–5.

Norway, which had already defeated Slovenia and Italy in the tournament, came into the match with tremendous energy and completely surprised the NHL star-studded team in the first period. In just over 11 minutes, the Norwegians took a 2–0 lead at the expense of a complacent Canada.

However, Canada equalized towards the end of the first period when Mark Scheifele scored two goals.

Norway did not back down from this. At the start of the second period, Noah Steen put the Norwegians back in the lead with a power play goal. Canada later equalized in the period when Gabe Vilardi scored on the power play from Scheifele’s setup.

The beginning of the third period looked like it would turn the game in Canada’s favor. Dylan Cozens scored shorthanded, putting Canada in the lead for the first time just 34 seconds into the period.

However, Norway did not falter and regained the driver’s seat. The familiar Christian Kasastul and just 18-year-old Tinus Koblar brought the underdog back to a 5–4 lead.

Canada, however, equalized at the last moment. The star-studded team, playing without a goalie, was rewarded when Ryan O’Reilly tied the game at 5–5 just 1:39 before the end of regulation time.

The solution came quickly in overtime. With three against three, Canada completely tangled Norway’s defense, and Evan Bouchard set up an empty net for Scheifele at the back post, who completed his hat trick and secured Canada’s 6–5 victory just 29 seconds into overtime.

Canada also lost their first point of the tournament, as they had previously only brought home three-point victories from earlier matches. Norway, on the other hand, has already collected an impressive seven points from four matches.

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