Canada rolling despite scare from France

Canada extended its win streak to three games with a 5-2 victory over France Thursday at the world hockey championship.

Canada’s win over France was the latest against a country not regarded as an international power in the sport. Canada (3-1) also beat Great Britain and Slovakia after suffering a defeat against Finland on the opening day of the tournament.

France (0-3-1) did give Canada a bit of a scare, narrowing the deficit to 3-2 in the third after falling behind 3-0 in the first.

But goals by Anthony Mantha, his second of the game, and Mark Stone restored Canada’s threegoal lead.

Mantha opened the scoring for Canada on a 5-on-3 power play with a slapshot past French goalie Henri-Corentin Buysse.

Darnell Nurse and Anthony Cirelli also scored first-period goals.

“I really liked our first period,” Canadian head coach Alain Vigneault said. “In the second, we got a little bit loose defensively and a little loose with our puck management, which led to some good opportunities on (France’s) part.

“They got that quick goal at the beginning of the third, which made it a game, but I liked the way we responded after (France) made it 3-2. Our guys buckled down and there was obviously more urgency on our part.”

Mantha, a Detroit Red Wings forward from Longueuil, Que., leads Canada with five goals and nine points at the tournament.

“Obviously, we weren’t as sharp tonight as we were in our last few games,” Mantha said.

“We need to build off that and work hard next game. Germany is 4-0 right now, so we know it’s going to be a hard game, but we have to be ready.”

Goaltender Carter Hart made 21 saves for Canada.

Damien Fleury and Anthony Rech scored for France.