After two years of no promotion or relegation at the Women’s World Championship thanks to COVID-19, today France gained promotion back to the Top Division for 2023, for the first time in three years, after a winner-take-all victory over Norway on home ice in Angers, France.
Tied atop the group with Norway, Les Bleus, in front of a record 3,586 fans, France dominated throughout, winning 4-1 on the strength of goals from Estelle Duvin, Chloe Aurard, Clara Rozier and Lara Escudero, with Caroline Baldin making 36 saves to top the group and return to the Top Division next year for the first time since 2018.
France will join Group B of the 2023 Top Division in a host country yet to be named, to take the place of the last place team at August’s Top Division tournament in Denmark, looking to stay in the Top Division for consecutive seasons for the first time in the World Championships since their tournament debut in 1999.
International Hockey Lineal Championship 