Canada defeated France 6-1 in an exhibition game played on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at Accor Arena in Paris, as part of Canada’s pre-tournament preparations for the 2026 IIHF Men’s World Championship.
In front of a sold-out crowd of 13,877 fans, Team Canada dominated with strong offensive depth and solid goaltending. Captain Macklin Celebrini led the way with a goal and three assists (4 points), while Winnipeg Jets teammates Gabriel Vilardi and Mark Scheifele each recorded a goal and two assists (3 points apiece). Other goals came from John Tavares (1G, 1A), Parker Wotherspoon, and Dylan Holloway. Jet Greaves stood tall in net with 24 saves for the victory. France got on the board once but couldn’t keep pace with Canada’s speed and skill.
Pittsburgh Penguins Parker Wotherspoon makes it a 1-0 game for Canada at 5:16 of the first period. The assists on the goal went to St. Louis Blues Robert Thomas and San Jose Shark Sam Dickinson.
Guillaume Leclerc ties the game up for France with an unassisted goal at 10:37 of the first period. Leclrec played NCAA at UMass-Lowell. He now plays for Gernoble in the French League.
Shots on goal in the first period were 11-9 for France
St. Louis Blues Dylan Holloway makes it a 2-1 game for Canada at 4:24 of the second period. The assists on the goal went to Winnipeg Jet Dylan DeMelo and New York Islander Mathew Barzal.
Mark Scheifele give Canada a 3-1 lead at 7:55 of the second period. The helpers on the goal went to Gabriel Vilardi and Macklin Celebrini.
Gabriel Vilardi makes it a 4-1 game for Canada at 11:59 of the second period while on the Power Play. The assists on the goal went to John Tavares and Macklin Celebrini.
Macklin Celebrini makes it a 5-1 game for Canada at 15:05 of the second period. The assists on the goal went to Gabriel Vilardi and Mark Scheifele. That marked the end of French goalie Martin Neckar’s night and he was then replaced by Antoine Keller.
Shots on goal in the second period were 20-8 for Canada
John Tavares makes it a 6-1 game on the Power Play at 15:42 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to Macklin Celebrini and Mark Scheifele
Shots on goal in the third period were 16-6 for Canada. The Canadians outshot the French 45-25 in the game.
Columbus Blue Jacket Jet Greaves made 24 saves on the 25 shots that he faced for the win for Canada. For the French Martin Neckar made 17 stops on the 22 shots he face. Antoine Keller stopped 22 of the 23 shots that he faced.
Macklin Celebrini (captain, San Jose Sharks) led with 1 goal and 3 assists (4 points) and was named game MVP.
Canada’s next pre tournament game is Wednesday May 13th against Hungary.
Canada’s first tournament game is on Friday, May 15, 2026, against Sweden in their opening match of the 2026 IIHF Men’s World Championship in Zurich, Switzerland.
