The Swedes looked nervous during the opening twenty minutes and ended up with a two-goal-deficit.
In the United States, the match was broadcast by TNT where the former NHL players Wayne Gretzky, Paul Bissonnette and Anson Carter formed the expert panel.
After the first period Gretzky wasn´t impressed by the Swedish performance.
"The Swedish effort during the first period was embarrassing. They didn't get any attacking play going and looked like they were being chased all the time", said Gretzky.
Tre Kronor's unfortunate start with an early sending-off set the tone for a poor first half from the Scandinavians.
"I thought it would end with a 5-1 win for Canada or something like that when the first period was over", Gretzky said after the game.
However Gretzky was much impressed by how the Swedish picked themselves up and forced the game into extra-time.
"Canada seemed to fold a little, but they were never broken. They came back and decided the game. Hats off to (Sidney) Crosby. But Sweden should also be praised for gearing up and making a match of this premiere", said Gretzky.
Bissonnette also had words of praise for Tre Kronor:
"Sweden gained momentum with its outside forwards and at the same time the defenders stepped up. They looked like a different team in the last two periods and into overtime," Bissonnette said.
Toronto star Mitch Marner scored the winning goal, 4-3, for Canada with 6.06 minutes left in overtime.