photo: Andre Ringuette/IIHF
Canada scored three power-play goals over the first two periods to charge to a 4-0 win over Slovenia in the first game of the 2025 IIHF World Championship for both teams.
The Nathan MacKinnon to Bo Horvat combination counted two of those goals, but the team as a group moved the puck around crisply and quickly for 60 impressive minutes. MacKinnon, wearing number 9 while Marc-Andre Fleury dons 29, finished with a goal and two assists, and goalie Dylan Garand stopped 11 shots for the shutout.
"It was a pretty good game for us," said Phillip Danault, a recent arrival to the Canadian team. "We gave up a couple of Grade A chances but our power play and penalty kill were good. It's tough. I just got in a couple of days ago, and with the time change, but we got together and had a nice dinner, and we're together now."
"Canada is one of the tougher opponents in the tournament," said Matic Torok. "I think 5-on-5 we played a decent game. The only problem is that we took too many penalties. They have skilful players and can score on the power play. But we had our chances to score a couple of goals, so we need to keep going."
The Slovenes incurred seven penalties to Canada's two, and four of those were for high-sticking.
Both teams play again tomorrow. Slovenia has the shorter rest, playing Slovakia in the early game, while Canada gets a few extra hours’ time off and takes on Latvia later in the afternoon.
The Canadians opened the scoring during a four-minute power play, MacKinnon setting up Horvat at the top of the left circle where he wired a high shot to the short side past Lukas Horak at 7:22.
Although Canada dominated the period, the Slovenes had a couple of chances but couldn’t beat Dylan Garand. Jan Drozg set up Filip Sitar nicely in front, but Garand stoped the tip with good position.
MacKinnon extended Canada’s lead early in the second when his shot of the rush snuck under the pads of Horak at 3:41. They got two more power-play goals later in the period. The MacKinnon-Horvat combo worked again, another high shot to the short side finding the twine.
Then, at 16:55, coach Dean Evason threw out a Kid Line for the second power-play unit comprised of Macklin Celebrini, Kent Johnson, and Adam Fantilli. Celebrini made a great pass to Noah Dobson, and he redirected the puck in the far side to make it a 4-0 game.
Garand made his best save midway through the third period. Rok Macuh got the puck to Nik Simsic in front, and his quick shot was kicked out by the goalie with cat-like speed.
The Nathan MacKinnon to Bo Horvat combination counted two of those goals, but the team as a group moved the puck around crisply and quickly for 60 impressive minutes. MacKinnon, wearing number 9 while Marc-Andre Fleury dons 29, finished with a goal and two assists, and goalie Dylan Garand stopped 11 shots for the shutout.
"It was a pretty good game for us," said Phillip Danault, a recent arrival to the Canadian team. "We gave up a couple of Grade A chances but our power play and penalty kill were good. It's tough. I just got in a couple of days ago, and with the time change, but we got together and had a nice dinner, and we're together now."
"Canada is one of the tougher opponents in the tournament," said Matic Torok. "I think 5-on-5 we played a decent game. The only problem is that we took too many penalties. They have skilful players and can score on the power play. But we had our chances to score a couple of goals, so we need to keep going."
The Slovenes incurred seven penalties to Canada's two, and four of those were for high-sticking.
Both teams play again tomorrow. Slovenia has the shorter rest, playing Slovakia in the early game, while Canada gets a few extra hours’ time off and takes on Latvia later in the afternoon.
The Canadians opened the scoring during a four-minute power play, MacKinnon setting up Horvat at the top of the left circle where he wired a high shot to the short side past Lukas Horak at 7:22.
Although Canada dominated the period, the Slovenes had a couple of chances but couldn’t beat Dylan Garand. Jan Drozg set up Filip Sitar nicely in front, but Garand stoped the tip with good position.
MacKinnon extended Canada’s lead early in the second when his shot of the rush snuck under the pads of Horak at 3:41. They got two more power-play goals later in the period. The MacKinnon-Horvat combo worked again, another high shot to the short side finding the twine.
Then, at 16:55, coach Dean Evason threw out a Kid Line for the second power-play unit comprised of Macklin Celebrini, Kent Johnson, and Adam Fantilli. Celebrini made a great pass to Noah Dobson, and he redirected the puck in the far side to make it a 4-0 game.
Garand made his best save midway through the third period. Rok Macuh got the puck to Nik Simsic in front, and his quick shot was kicked out by the goalie with cat-like speed.
Slovenia vs Canada - 2025 IIHF WM
OF