2025 IIHF Worlds: France Looks to Upset Unbeaten Canada

Canada enters its third game of the 2025 IIHF World Championship undefeated, having outscored opponents 11–1 through two games. After a 4–0 shutout of Slovenia, the Canadians erupted for a 7–1 win over Latvia. They were powered by Travis Konecny’s two-goal, three-point performance and three assists from captain Sidney Crosby. Veteran goaltender Marc-André Fleury made history by becoming the oldest goalie ever to represent Canada at the tournament.

France, on the other hand, has shown resilience despite two losses. After a tough 4–1 loss to Latvia, they pushed Finland to overtime in their second game, ultimately falling 4–3. The Bozon brothers, Tim and Kevin, each scored, and goaltender Antoine Keller made 47 saves in a valiant effort.

Canada and France are set to face off on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Puck drop is at 8:20 PM local time (2:20 PM ET) at the Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. With Canada looking to stay unbeaten and France aiming to build on their performance against Finland, this matchup could be pivotal for both teams’ standings as round-robin play continues.

Game Info

Date: May 13, 2025
Time: 8:20 PM local (2:20 PM ET)
Venue: Avicii Arena, Stockholm, Sweden

Canada: Depth and Dominance

Canada enters its third game of the 2025 IIHF World Championship undefeated, having outscored opponents 11–1 through two games. After a 4–0 shutout of Slovenia, the Canadians erupted for a 7–1 win over Latvia. They were powered by Travis Konecny’s two-goal, three-point performance and three assists from captain Sidney Crosby. Veteran goaltender Marc-André Fleury made history by becoming the oldest goalie ever to represent Canada at the tournament.

Canada’s depth has been its greatest strength through two games. Ten different players have found the scoresheet, with scoring spread across all four lines. Nathan MacKinnon and Bo Horvat continue to fuel the top unit. Macklin Celebrini, Kent Johnson, and Barrett Hayton have added speed and skill in secondary roles.

After Dylan Garand posted a shutout in Game 1, Fleury delivered a vintage performance in Game 2. His glove save on Dans Locmelis and aggressive puck-handling added energy to an already confident Canadian group.

“They’re great,” Fleury said of his teammates. “It’s a lot of fun to watch. They were awesome all night long” (International Ice Hockey Federation, 2025a).

France: Underdog with Bite

France opened the tournament with a tough 4–1 loss to Latvia. Despite leading for over 30 minutes and killing off a lengthy 5-on-3, they surrendered a third-period go-ahead goal and two empty-netters. Captain Sacha Treille remained upbeat afterward:

“It was a close game. We have to feel positive and keep going for the rest of the tournament” (IIHF, 2025b).

In their second game, France faced Finland and suffered a heartbreaking 4–3 overtime loss. Despite leading 3–1 late in the third period, France conceded two goals in the final two minutes of regulation and the game-winner in overtime. Tim and Kevin Bozon each scored, and Antoine Keller made 47 saves in a valiant effort.

“Again, we found a way to lose a game, it’s very frustrating,” said Tim Bozon. “It was nice to see Kevin score his first Ice Hockey World Championship goal; he’s got a more defensive role on this team”. (IIHF, 2025c).

Statistically, France leads the tournament in power play efficiency at 66.67% and ranks first in penalty killing at 100%. However, they are eighth in save percentage (88.73%) and eighth in scoring efficiency (10.53%) (IIHF, 2025d).

Players to Watch

For Canada, forwards Travis Konecny, Nathan MacKinnon, and Bo Horvat have been leading the offensive charge, combining for multiple goals and assists. Young talents Macklin Celebrini and Kent Johnson have added speed and skill in secondary roles, while Barrett Hayton contributes depth scoring. On the blue line, Brandon Montour and Travis Sanheim have been active in transition and puck movement. Goaltenders Dylan Garand and Marc-André Fleury provide strong options in net.

For France, Tim and Kevin Bozon have been instrumental in generating offense, each scoring in the game against Finland. Jordann Perret and Pierre-Édouard Bellemare bring experience and stability to the forward group. Goaltender Antoine Keller has been a standout, making 47 saves against Finland and keeping France competitive in both games.

What to Watch

Special Teams Battle: Canada boasts a 27.27% power play efficiency and a perfect 100% penalty kill through two games. France, despite ranking 1st in power play efficiency at 66.67%, has struggled on the penalty kill with an 88.73% success rate. The special teams matchup could be a deciding factor in the game.

Goaltending Duel: Canada’s goaltenders have been stellar, with Dylan Garand posting a 100% save percentage and Marc-André Fleury at 94.12%. France’s Antoine Keller, despite a 92.16% save percentage, has faced a high volume of shots, making 47 saves against Finland. The performance of the goaltenders will be crucial in determining the outcome.

Offensive Firepower vs. Defensive Resilience: Canada leads Group A with 11 goals but has a shooting efficiency of 13.58%. France has scored four goals with a shooting efficiency of 10.53%. Canada’s depth and offensive prowess will test France’s defensive structure and goaltending.