France did not go far from a big blow this Sunday against Denmark. In a World Championship which began on Friday with a big surprise with the victory of the United States against world number 1, Finland, which also has the advantage of playing at home, France is not remains. Thus, the 13th in the world often made Denmark tremble (10th) before giving in during extra time (3-4). A defeat which still brings a precious point to the Blues, who take an additional step towards maintaining the Elite. It also confirms their progress against an opponent who had beaten them easily (3-0) a year ago in this same competition. This time the score was much tighter.
From the first quarter, the players of Philippe Bozon understood that they would have a bad time on the ice of the Nokia Arena in Tampere (Finland). If Tim Bozon launches hostilities well (3rd), the rest is more complicated. Sebastian Ylönen must work for the first time in front of Mathias Bau (4th). On the foil, the Blues concede a first penalty with Dylan Fabre (7th). The Danes do not pray to take advantage and open the scoring by Nikolaj Ehlers, the NHL player, who had scored two of the three goals in Denmark’s victory against Hungary (3-1) the day before. Frederik Dichow, the Danish goalkeeper, warms up a bit on attempts by Tim Bozon (10th) or even Charles Bertrand and Louis Boudon (16th). But it was Denmark who took off, after a new numerical advantage on a goal from Mikkel Boedker (18th). The French goalkeeper avoids the worst on a shot from Matias Lassen (18th).
Next meeting Tuesday against Hungary
At the end of the first quarter, France is well shaken, as expected. On the other hand, we fall into the irrational when the Blues return unleashed on the ice. In three minutes, they catch up. Well served by Anthony Rech, Guillaume Leclerc reduced the gap for the French (25th). Anthony Rech then recovers a puck to present himself in front of the Danish goalkeeper, whom he beats after a magnificent feint (28th).
No time to savor that Denmark regains the advantage through Nick Olesen (30th). The match then turns into a fight that Alexandre Texier (34th) and Jordann Perret (36th) lose against an imperial Frederik Dichow. But not Justin Addamo who offers a new equalizer to the Blues (39th).
Incredible in the second quarter, these Blues continue to return blow for blow to the Danes. During a breathless third quarter, the score did not move. The French are thus playing their second extension in two days. If the day before, it took a minute for the Habs to win against the Austrians, it takes the same amount of time for the Danes to get out of the blue quagmire thanks to Patrick Russell (61st).
Despite the defeat, these Blues proved that they deserved to stay in the Elite for a third year in a row. For that, it will certainly be necessary to beat Hungary (20th in the world) with two games and as many defeats on the clock since the start of the Finnish World Cup. Beaten by Denmark in the first match (1-3), the Magyars were crushed this Sunday by the United States (1-7). Tuesday (7:20 p.m.), the Blues will not play an important meeting on the road to maintenance.
