Cirelli scores the game-winner in Canada's victory over France

Anthony Cirelli scored the game-winning goal in Canada's 5-2 victory over France as round-robin play continued at the 2019 IIHF World Championship Thursday.

The Lightning center posted up below the lower left circle and one-timed Sean Couturier's behind-the-back feed from below the goal line past France goalie Henri Corentin Buysse at 16:15 of the opening period to give Canada a 3-0 lead.

France scored two-consecutive goals to get within one, but Canada pulled away with a pair of goals 1:51 apart midway through the third period for the 5-2 final.
Cirelli has scored a goal in two-straight games for Canada, which has won three in a row and moved to second place in Group A after opening the tournament with a loss to Finland. Cirelli ranks tied for second on Canada for goals behind team leader Anthony Mantha (5).
The Czech Republic won for the third time in four tournament games after defeating Latvia 6-3 in Group B action Thursday.
The Czechs scored five-consecutive goals after falling behind 2-0 in the first period.
Tampa Bay forward Ondrej Palat provided the primary assist on the game-tying goal, setting up Jan Kovar to make the score 2-2 at 11:01 of the second period. The assist was the first point of the tournament in four games for Palat.
The Czech Republic occupies fourth place in the Group B standings and next faces winless Italy on Friday.