Jessie Eldridge scored twice and added an assist as Canada defeated Sweden 5-1 Friday in its world women's hockey championship opener.
Eldridge started on Canada's top line and ably filled the void left by injured captain Marie-Philip Poulin and star forward Sarah Fillier.
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The 28-year-old from Barrie, who recently signed a two-year contract with the Professional Women's Hockey League champion Montréal Victoire, made her only other appearance at the women's world championship in 2022, where she had two points in seven games.
Defender Cooper Kendall had a goal and an assist for Canada, while Emily Clark and Rebecca Leslie also scored.
Hanna Thuvik had Sweden's only goal.
Ann-Renée Desbiens made 11 saves for Canada. Ebba Svensson Traff stopped 33 shots for Sweden.
Canada next faces Japan on Sunday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2026.
