MANNHEIM – It is the date that if not circled on the calendar of every player on the French national team, but is burned into their minds.

On Thursday, May 13, France plays Norway in what will arguably be the biggest game for the French at the 2010 IIHF World Championship. It’s the day the French feel they will be on an even playing field in Mannheim, Germany.

“That is our main goal, beat Norway,” said team manager Patrice Francheterre.

The French have come a long way in a short time to feel that beating Norway is well within their reach.

In 2004, the French finished in 16th place at the world tournament and spent the next three years regrouping in an effort to get promoted. Their efforts paid dividends and the French wound up 14th at the 2008 World Championship and they improved to 12th last year in Switzerland.

Included in the impressive run in the Swiss Alps was a 2-1 triumph over Germany that went a long way in boosting the French confidence. That along with a 1-0 loss to Switzerland was a positive proof to the French management team that their efforts were not in vein.

“It is step by step,” said Francheterre.

Goal

France will keep a roster spot open for Cristobal Huet of the Chicago Blackhawks for as long as possible, and his addition, even at a late hour, would provide a great boost for the team.

Fabrice Lhenry has been with the French national team since 1992 and the French value the experience he has gained in tournaments since then. Look for Lhenry to get most of the work. Lhenry played for the Rouen Dragons this season.
 
Eddy Fehr is the odds-on favorite to be the back-up when the competition begins, while Florian Hardy will join the French as the No. 3 goalie if Huet is unable to attend because of his Stanley Cup playoff commitments with the Chicago Blackhawks.

“We were  hoping for Huet to join the team, but I think we have no chance,” said Francheterre.

Defence

Baptiste Amar is perhaps the most decorated defenceman in French hockey history and he will anchor the French blueline in Germany.

When asked to describe the French defence, Francheterre said it was a mix “of veterans and youth”.

“They are good in mobility and they play well in the box and that is our strength,” he said. “We are working more in having co-operation with the five players on the ice to work as a group. Everyone has to be responsible defensively. If we do that, then that will be our strength.”

Forwards

Eight forwards on the provisional roster played outside of France this season, and Francheterre feels you can’t put a value on the experienced gained by skating in more competitive leagues that feature more games than the French would get at home.

“It is great experience for them. They have better competition; they play more games than they play in France so that is very good. The training is harder, it is all good,” he said.

Up front, the French are a blend of youth and speed complimented by veterans who know how to pace themselves in a pressure-packed tournament like the World Championship.

Two players to watch for are brothers Yorick and Sacha Treille. Yorick played for Vitkovice Ostrava of the Czech Republic this season, while Sacha suited up for Malmö, a top team of the Swedish second-tier league Allsvenskan.

Luc Tardif scored the winning goal for France a year ago in the triumph over Germany that brought France to the Qualification Round and his leadership on and off the ice is valued by the French coaching staff.

Another player worthy of mention is Parisian-born Stéphane Da Costa, who has spent the last three seasons in North America, the last in the U.S. college ranks. Da Coata had 45 points in 34 games for Merrimack College and was named the rookie of the year in the Hockey East conference.

Coaching

Canadian-born Dave Henderson is the head coach, and his main assistant is Pierre Pousse. Both were signed through the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. They took over the team in 2005 and brought it back to IIHF’s top division where the team has maintained in the last two years.

“He brings experience, but also he brings the intensity, the fighting spirit that he had when he was player in the French league,” said Francheterre. “He was hard to play against; it was hell playing against him, and he wants his team to play hard like that. He is passionate about the game.”

Projected Results

There is no reason to think that the French will be relegated. With more players making a living outside the country, the level of play has improved over the last two world tournaments and that trend should continue.

As far as Francheterre is concerned, the key will be to keep an even keel.

“I think we have to manage our strength. We have to play hard against the top teams like Sweden and the Czech Republic, but at the same time be serious; our goal is to beat Norway.

“It is difficult to push the team against the top teams and then not have enough (energy) when we play Norway. Our goal is to stay in the A pool and everything is a bonus after that.”

ALAN ADAMS