Slovakia Downs France at the 2016 World Championships

Igor Burdetskiy May 8, 2016

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ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - MAY 8: Slovakia's Vladimir Dravecky #22 and Michal Sersen #8 celebrate after a second period goal as France's Cristobal Huet #39 and Florian Chakiachvili #62 look on during preliminary round action at the 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey Championship. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Slovakia continued their winning ways with a 5-1 win over France in the Preliminary Round of the IIHF World Championships tonight at Yubileiny Arena. With two goals in the first and two more in the second periods, Slovakia gave themselves room to breathe and their second win of the tournament.

In the first period a pair of goals by Andrej Sekera and Dominik Granak gave Slovakia the lead after falling behind very early in. Julius Hudacek, making his first start, recorded 21 saves.

“I think we played better today than yesterday.” Sekera said. “We played 55 minutes, not 60. Still not quite there. But we did a good job in the third period.”

France would strike first at 1:09 into the game when Jordann Perret scored on a break as a result of the puck deflecting off Martin Marincin’s stick and heading into the Slovakia zone. Gregory Beron made the initial pass out of France’s zone before it was redirected Perret’s way. Perret wasted no time and went five hole for the score.

Sekera opened Slovakia’s scoring with a slapshot that beat Cristobal Huet stick side to tie the game. Sekera has goals in back to back games in this tournament.

Granak pulled his team ahead 2-1. With a textbook faceoff win by Patrik Lusnak, Vladimir Dravecky controlled the puck and sent it to Granak for a blast that also beat Huet stickside.

“We started the game well.” Perret said. “Afterwards, we didn’t stick to our system. We started looking for long passes and all that. Against a good team like Slovakia, they were able to counter against us and take advantage.”

Over the final six minutes, Slovakia turned up the effort and scored twice to extend their lead and put the game out of reach.

Slovakia and France both get a day off tomorrow. On Tuesday, Slovakia faces Germany while France takes on Hungary.

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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!