France men’s national ice hockey team Norway Nations Cup loss, Digi Mart USA News (Amiens, France): France lost 2-1 to Norway in its first match of the Nations Cup in Amiens, a narrow defeat for the French team. The Bleus had to bounce back quickly, facing Slovenia the next day.
France started strongly, scoring in the first minute. After good work by Tomas Simonsen, Justin Addamo finished the play to make it 1-0 at 0:54.
Norway equalized shortly afterward, with Patrick Elvsveen winning a one-on-one against Julian Junca, who started in goal, to tie it 1-1 at 5:29.
France had several chances on the power play, with Enzo Carry drawing the first Norwegian penalty around the 15-minute mark. However, the team lacked finishing touches.
Jordann Perret, set up by Hugo Gallet, chose to pass when the net appeared open, and France remained at one goal on the scoreboard.
Julian Junca was called on early in the second period, stopping a shot from Petter Vesterheim with his skate. Kevin Spinozzi fired a powerful shot that Jonas Arntzen saved, and Junca made a key stop against a move around the net.
Matias Bachelet and Valentin Grossetête also combined on a play that did not result in a goal. The teams went into the locker room tied 1-1.
France opened the third period with two power plays but could not convert. With 12 minutes left, Tom Vidal, playing his first match for the French senior national team, was penalized, and Norway capitalized.
Mikkel Oby-Olsen missed his shot, but the puck fell to Mathias Emilio Pettersen, who put it past the goalkeeper for the go-ahead goal. France created several chances late in the match but could not tie the game.
The Bleus lost 2-1, a narrow margin, against Norway, which finished third at the last Elite World Championship.
In the earlier game of the afternoon, Slovenia defeated the other team 5-2 with a controlled final period. Slovenia will be France’s next opponent on Friday at 8:00 p.m.
at the Coliseum. The match will be broadcast on Hockeyfrance.tv.
