This was the blow that hit the France team on Saturday when it entered the World Cup in Tampere (Finland). Authors of a good performance against Austria (win 2-1 ap)the Blues had lost during the third and final period Alexandre Texier, their star (he will return to the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL next season after a year spent in the Swiss Championship).
Following a big fault (slashing then charging on the opposing player), he had been expelled and risked a suspension, which would have made him miss this Sunday’s match (3:20 p.m.) against Denmark, oh so important to ensure the maintenance of the France team in the world elite.
Texier on the French side, Ehlers on the Danish side
But Texier will hold his place well against the Danes. The French Federation (FFHG) has indicated that the IIHF (the International Federation) normally has until 9 a.m. this Sunday morning to inform the player and the staff of the France team of a possible sanction.
The formal response has not arrived and now the international body is out of time to suspend Texier. France will therefore have its NHL player on the ice, just like Denmark who could line up Saturday Nikolaj Ehlers, Winnipeg Jets forward, whose insurance issues have been resolved.