Fleury Capitalizes for France on Poor German Power Play

The battle of the 2017 World Championship hosts saw Germany unable to produce much on many power play chances, allowing France to take the 3-2 win in overtime.

The first period saw Germany completely dominate the shot clock, but that didn't stop them from allowing the first goal. Jordann Perret made a great pass to Damien Raux at the 3:38 mark of the first, and with Raux finding an open cage and putting it behind Timo Pielmeier for the first goal early in the game. The pair almost scored once again a little later on, with Perret getting the shot this time, but a German defenseman slid into the net and took off the left post, causing the play to stop.

Cristobal Huet had a strong first period, especially with his diving stick save mid-way through the period. It looked like the former NHL All-Star had no chance left on the play, but he managed to get across and stop the German shooter with a beautiful reach attempt at the post.

Germany would get on the board early in the second with a goal from a big shooter. Phillip Goggulla couldn't score on his original blast on the power play, with Huet deflecting the puck to the right of the net. However, Arizona Coyotes forward Tobias Rieder was right where he needed to be, picking up the rebound and flicking it over Huet to tie the game after just 26 seconds of play in the second.

The Germans would get the next goal on the board. It was one Huet would surely want back, as Felix Schutz fired a soft one past the French netminder to give Germany their first lead of the tournament with four minutes left in the game.

The French did get one back, though. Grégory Beron took a shot that didn't look too dangerous originally, but Valentin Claireaux tipped it past Pielmeier at the very last second just over the glove to tie the game up at two apiece heading into the final 20 minutes.

Or so they thought that would be the final 20. Instead, the game required a shootout after neither team could find the back of the net in overtime. For Germany, it was a very tough situation, as they managed to only get one goal on seven power play chances, something teams better than France would make them pay for. Damien Fleury would score in the shootout, scoring on the final chance for his team to take the 3-2 win in a game Germany would really love to do over.

With the win, France will look to stay undefeated when they take on a young Slovakian squad in the late game on Sunday. Germany will look to rebound tomorrow as well, but Finland should pose a major issue for them before the game is over.

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