Shannon Coulter
Here we go. Canada’s National Men’s Team hits the ice Saturday to face Slovenia as it opens its quest for a record-extending 29th gold medal at the IIHF World Championship at Avicii Arena.
Last Game
Canada wrapped up its pre-tournament schedule Tuesday with a 6-0 shut out of Hungary in Budapest. Zach Boychuk and Porter Martone scored 1:18 apart to give the Canadians a 2-0 lead after the first period. Noah Dobson and Travis Konecny doubled the lead in the middle frame before Travis Sanheim and Macklin Celebrini rounded out the scoring in the third. Celebrini recorded a four-point performance, while Dylan Garand and Carter George combined for 14 saves for the shutout.
The Slovenians finished their exhibition slate with a 3-2 win over Kazakhstan on Tuesday in Uppsala, Sweden. Matik Török and Rok Kapel scored in the third period to help Slovenia come all the way back from a two-goal deficit. Filip Sitar had the other goal, getting the comeback started late in the second period.
Last Meeting
Canada last played Slovenia in the preliminary round of the 2023 Men’s Worlds, with the Canadians earning a 5-2 win. MacKenzie Weegar led Canada with a goal and two assists, while Jack McBain and Michael Carcone contributed a goal and a helper each. Devon Levi made 22 saves in net.
What to Watch
This Canadian team has a little bit of everything for fans. Captain Sidney Crosby is making his return to the tournament for the first time since 2015, joined by a fellow Nova Scotian, Nathan MacKinnon, and Ryan O’Reilly as alternate captains. There’s next generation up-and-comers, like Macklin Celebrini who recorded 25 goals and 63 points in his rookie NHL season with the San Jose Sharks. Between the pipes, Jordan Binnington is putting on the Maple Leaf again after a strong performance at the 4 Nations Face-Off three months ago. Finally, Marc-André Fleury will reunite with Crosby and make his IIHF World Championship debut after 21 NHL seasons.
A majority of the Slovenian players compete in the top pro league in their country (including 10 who helped HK Olimpija win the championship this season), but there are four young players who spent the 2024-25 campaign across the pond in North America. Nace Langus (Augustana University) and Sitar (University of Conneticut) compete in the NCAA. Jan Golicic—a fourth round pick by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2024—is a shutdown defenceman who had four goals and 31 points with the QMJHL’s Gatineau Olympiques, and fellow blue-liner Urban Podrekar put up 10 goals and 27 points with the OHL’s Flint Firebirds.
A Look Back
This will be the sixth meeting between Canada and Slovenia at Men’s Worlds, and the Canadians are undefeated through the first five.
The closest game was in 2013 (also in Stockholm)—the Slovenians held a 3-2 lead heading into the third period before Brenden Dillon tied the game with 13 minutes left and Steven Stamkos won it 3:36 into overtime for Canada.
All-time record: Canada leads 5-0 (1-0 in OT/SO) Canada goals: 29 Slovenia goals: 8