Nice Hockey faced Anglet at home for the first match of the play-off finals. The initial encounter was won with a score of 3 goals to 2. Stan Sutor’s men aim to win again tonight to secure the title on Tuesday or Wednesday on the Basque ice.
For this first match of the playoff finals, the Jean Bouin ice rink is sold out. The atmosphere is electric, and the players are ready. Both teams deliver a high-quality game. Nice Hockey is shaken at the beginning of the match and gradually manages to play on equal footing with Hormadi Anglet. Both goalkeepers are invaluable, making decisive saves to keep their nets intact. The first period ends with a null and void score of 0-0. A goal well-guarded by an in-form Sedlacek, according to his coach Stan Sutor: “He was massive. He was solid and reassured everyone.”
Three seconds to forget…
There are many regrets in this second period for the Eagles. Again, under pressure at the start of T2, Stan Sutor’s players took advantage of Anglet’s weak moment to open the scoring with a superb back pass finished by Matej Misura, who slots past the opposing goalkeeper (1-0, 26’10”).
Nice Hockey strings together a few chances, but Anglet gets back into the game. They become more present in front of Sedlacek’s goal. Captain Aurélien Macon takes a 2-minute penalty, and the Niçois immediately concede a goal three seconds before the end of the period. The puck shot by Alexander Olsson slips through the legs of the Nice goalkeeper, ending its course in the net (1-1, 39’57”). A play detail that Stan Sutor preferred not to address in the locker room: “It’s frustrating to concede a goal three seconds from the end. This kind of match is decided by details. In the locker room with Pascal Margerit (assistant coach), we tried to put things into perspective; the guys didn’t need to dwell on that. It motivates the opposing team, so we must not think about it. We avoided that subject; we had to move on.”
Suspense until the end
Upon returning to the ice, the Niçois accelerated and regained the lead through Martin Vojsovic. He took advantage of a long-range shot from a teammate whose attempt was deflected by the opposing goalkeeper. The Nice forward, nearby, only had to push the puck into the empty net (2-1, 43’51”).
A few minutes later, the Eagles thought they were flying high after a missile into the top corner by Matej Hamrak, leaving the goalkeeper no chance (3-1, 47’55”).
But Anglet tried everything to get back into the match and was rewarded six minutes before the end. Matthieu Vissio found himself alone in front of Sedlacek, who had to concede after saving the situation a few seconds earlier (3-2, 53’38”). A tense end to the match, but the Niçois managed to maintain their slight advantage. They can start match 2 tonight in good condition, where victory seems essential for assistant coach Pascal Margerit: “We can’t get carried away. We must win tomorrow to have the home advantage.” Indeed, if Nice Hockey wins tomorrow and loses twice at Anglet, the Niçois will play the title match in front of their fans.
Kevin Chifflet
