Northern Michigan University goaltender Atte Tolvanen watches during a break in play in a Wildcats' game during his tenure from 2015-19. (Photo courtesy NMU)

MARQUETTE — A pair of former Northern Michigan University hockey players are representing their home countries at the ice hockey world championship that began Friday in Switzerland.

Ex-Wildcat goaltender Atte Tolvanen is representing Austria and forward Kristof Papp is playing for Hungary.

Tolvanen is one of two CCHA teams with two either current or former players in the event, the other Minnesota State-Mankato with forwards Marc Michaelis and Parker Tuomie both representing Germany.

The only current CCHA player on one of the international rosters is Augustana forward Nace Langus playing for Slovenia.

In opening action Friday, Canada prevailed late in beating Sweden 5-3. John Tavares, Ryan O’Reilly, Dylan Holloway, Connor Brown and Dylan Cozens scored and goaltender Jet Greaves stopped 22 shots for Canada at Fribourg.

Tavares was the first player to score at the tournament by beating goaltender Magnus Hellberg on the first Canada shot on goal 2:21 into the game. O’Reilly buried a backhand shot with 4:00 to go in the first period for 2-0.

Sweden, last year’s bronze medalist, finally scored in the middle period.

Jacob Larsson netted from the left circle 8:21 in and Detroit Red Wing Lucas Raymond leveled the score by wristing a shot past Greaves eight seconds into a power play midway through the frame.

Holloway restored the lead for Canada from the slot with 5:44 left and Mattias Ekholm made it 3-3 1:17 later with a one-timer from the point.

Brown scored 3:21 into the final period and Canada regain the lead for good. Cozens completed the victory with a deflected backhand.

Canada is the most successful nation at the tournament with 28 titles but last won the trophy three years ago.

The team hopes to rebound from fifth place last year and was boosted by the late addition of Sidney Crosby to the roster.

The 38-year-old Crosby decided to participate in the worlds for a second straight year and a fourth time overall after his Pittsburgh Penguins were eliminated from the NHL playoffs in the first round.

With 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini already named the Canada captain, Crosby became an alternate captain, replacing Tavares.

In Zurich, Finland beat Germany 3-1.

Defending champion the United States was to face host Switzerland later Friday while the Czech Republic was to meet Denmark.

Information included from CCHA email and Associated Press report. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.