France Takes Down Hungary in OT
2/11/23
J.J. Pavlick
Hungary came into the game on a two-game win streak having defeated Slovakia 7 - 6, and Norway 3 - 0. In both games, Hungary saw great offensive production from their stars in the PHF Fanni Garat-Gasparics and Reka Dabasi who play for the Metropolitan Riveters. Fanni enters this game with 3 goals and 1 assist while Reka enters with 4 assists. Both have been all over the ice and causing nightmares for the other teams without the puck on their sticks. France will be a good challenge for this young Hungarian team. Emma Kreisz who lines with Fanni and Reka has stepped up big in the tournament as well providing a big distraction for defenders and forcing them to pick their poison.
The first period saw France jump out to an early lead just 5:49 into the 1st period when Pelissou Marie-Pierre found herself in front of the goal to provide a perfectly placed deflection off a shot from Duvin Estelle with a secondary assist given to Rozier Clara. Hungary would respond less than five minutes later when Reka Dabasi blasted home a shot from the circle just under the arm of the French Goalie Caroline Lambert who had herself a solid period. Reka's goal was assisted by Emma Kreisz and defenseman Bahiczki-Toth Boglarka. The teams would trade opportunities for the remainder of the period, but the score would stay tied 1 - 1.
The second period saw Hungary jump out to the lead a little over fourteen minutes in when Fanni Garat-Gasparics went in alone and beat the French goalie top shelf. Hungary would go on to assert its dominance over the French side and hold the lead throughout the remainder of the period. Hungary killed off two penalties late in the period. The last penalty called on Emma Kreisz will carry over to the 3rd period. Photo Credit Manny Fernandes @mdphotoandink
The third period was highly contested and saw France tie the game when Rozier Clara fired a rocket from the slot after a huge diving save by Hungarian goalie Revesz Zsuzsa who fell backward on the initial save leaving just enough open net for Clara to hit. The goal was assisted by Baudrit Lore tying the game at 2 - 2 with around 10 minutes to go in the period. Hungary would come close a few times with Fanni, Emma, and Reka all hitting the post, and or crossbar in the dying minutes of play. The period would see France escape tied up and heading to the 5-minute overtime period.
With around 2 minutes remaining in OT France would capitalize on a slow line change by Hungary and take the 3 - 2 win when Duvin Estelle skated through the slot left to right and fired a laser top shelf for the win. The game-winning goal was assisted by Cedelle Lise.
With a win by Hungary over Japan on Sunday at 8:30 AM ET, they should win the Five Nations Tournament. Fanni Garat - Gasparics has 4 goals and 1 assist this tournament and Reka Dabasi has 1 goal and 4 assists. Both players should have a solid performance against Japan and head back to their team in the U.S. PHF on a hot streak. The Metropolitan Riveters will gladly accept the newfound offensive production as they race to the playoffs. Fanni before the PHF break was having herself a solid 5 games. Reka who has struggled to find herself on the stat sheet with the Riveters has definitely found her groove back in Hungary playing on the same line as Fanni. Maybe we see some new lines by the Riveters when they take on first-place Boston and the hottest goalie in the league Corrine Schroeder.