For the second consecutive year the Canadians struggled with France at the World Hockey Championship.
Last year France shocked Canada with a shootout victory in the tournament opener.
On Saturday the Canadians managed to hang on for a 4-3 victory despite a late rally by the French.
With the win, Canada has secured a spot in the quarterfinal.
“It seems like every year there’s a game where you’re in a real fight to get the puck in the net,” said Jordan Eberle per IIHF.com. “You have to find a way to win, and today we did that with our power play.”
Tyler Seguin scored twice and Eberle had the other as the Canadians lead 3-1 after 40 minutes.
Yorick Treille and Damien Fleury scored third period goals 35 seconds apart tying it 3-3.
Eberle’s second of the game less than three minutes later stood to be the winner, as the Canadians remain undefeated at the tournament following a fifth straight victory.
Canada’s next game comes Sunday against Switzerland.