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Italy Upsets France In 2014 Ice Hockey World Championship

What would be one of the most important games early on for both France and Italy became just that. Two games into the tournament, France has two points and Italy has three. After opening the preliminary round with an upset over Canada, France went on to find itself yet again in another upset but this time on the losing end to Italy.

The two teams skated to a scoreless first but went on to exchange goals in the second. Giulio Scandella scored Italy’s first goal and team captain Laurent Meunier had the goal for France. Despite France out-shooting Italy 29-17 through the game and applying heavy pressure through most of the third period, it was just not enough to skate out with a win.

The game was determined in the final minute when Markus Gander ripped a shot past France’s netminder, Cristobal Huet, to put Italy up 2-1 and complete yet another upset in the 2014 World Championship. A major key to Italy’s victory of course was due to netminder Daniel Bellissimo turning aside 28 of 29 shots.

With five remaining games for both teams in the preliminary round, France is now looking to play catch-up. Italy however will look to feed off this big win and see if they can cause perhaps another upset to move up in world rankings by the end of the tournament.

Igor Burdetskiy

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!
Igor Burdetskiy
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