The French ice hockey team lost 3-2 after extra time against Hungary in its third match of the Finnish World Cup and therefore takes only a small point in the fight for maintenance.
Second defeat in three games for the French ice hockey team at the World Cup in Finland. But it’s still a valuable fourth point in the race to stay in the world group. Winners of Austria then beaten after extra time by Denmark, Philippe Bozon’s men lost this time after extra time against Hungary (3-2), who had lost their first two games. However, it was the Blues who opened the scoring in the 17th minute, with a numerical superiority, thanks to a missile from Charles Bertrand deflected by the helmet of a Hungarian.
But less than three minutes later, Hungary recovered against the run of play, thanks to Bence Stipsicz. France regained the lead on the half-hour mark through Louis Boudon after a blocked shot from Charles Bertrand, but once again failed to maintain their lead, conceding the equalizer three and a half minutes later by Vilmos Gallo. The third period did not allow to decide between the two teams, and it was therefore necessary to play the extension. An extension which lasted only one minute and 22 seconds, the time that Istvan Bartalis does not come to crucify on a rebound the Blues, who must therefore be satisfied with one point.
And now, Finland!
The French however shot more often on goal during this meeting (28 shots against 21) and forced the opposing goalkeepers to 26 stops (against 18 for the blue goalkeepers), but they were not effective enough. After three days, France occupies fourth place in Group A, before going to challenge the Finnish world champions on Wednesday, who are in difficulty in this World Cup at home with already two defeats on the clock and a fifth place. And if the Blues pushed them to take a big step towards maintaining, or even a small step towards the quarter-finals?
