France Slips By Latvia at 2015 World Championships

Igor Burdetskiy May 12, 2015

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PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC - MAY 12: France's Stephane da Costa #14 celebrates a third period goal against Latvia's Edgars Maslaskis #31 during preliminary round action at the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)

All three French shooters beat Latvian goalie Edgars Masalskis with high shots, Desrosiers going after Damien Fleury and before Stephane Da Costa. The French mobbed one another after Da Costa put it home.

“When we were in their zone, we were all over them,” said Da Costa. “I think we deserved this win. They’re a good team and clog everything. They didn’t give us anything. They shouldn’t go down, and we shouldn’t go down. We didn’t have a great tournament but I think we have a team that shouldn’t go down.”

Just by reaching overtime in Tuesday’s second game at the O2 Arena, the Latvians already had the point they needed to survive. France, Latvia, and Austria all finish with five points, but the Austrians are last because they lost their head-to-head games with the other two nations.

The Austrians have now been relegated in each of their last six top-division appearances dating back to 2005, when they last hosted the tournament.

Latvia has been in the elite division since 1997, while France has stayed up since 2008 under head coach Dave Henderson. The French finish 12th and Latvia 13th.

In regulation time, Stephane Da Costa and Sacha Treille scored for France. Kaspars Daugavins and Guntis Galvins led the way with a goal and an assist for Latvia, and Lauris Darzins added two helpers.

France will co-host the 2017 IIHF World Championship with Germany (Paris and Cologne). Playing in Division I in 2016 is not what Les Bleus envisioned, and now they won’t have to.

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Igor Burdetskiy

Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & CEO at Hooked on Hockey Magazine

I grew up playing Ball and Roller Hockey day and night somewhat religiously throughout elementary and middle school. The two don't compare though when I lace up the skates and hit the ice. I live and breathe hockey beyond the perspective of "it's just a game" and I will gladly talk hockey for hours with anyone. Hockey is more than just a lifestyle, it's a culture of passionate people who make memories every time the puck is dropped. Hockey has not only helped me get through some of the hardest times in life but has created some of the best memories to date. Want to talk hockey with me? Shoot me an email: iburdetskiy@hookedonhockey.com and let's talk some hockey!