The Nice Eagles experienced a catastrophic scenario tonight in the context of the 36th round of Ligue Magnus. In Briançon, last in the standings before this match, the Niçois were defeated in overtime.
A high-stakes match awaited the Nice Eagles tonight on the ice of Briançon. Ninth in the standings, the Niçois were tied in points with Cergy-Pontoise right in front of them. Needless to say, the race for the play-offs is well and truly on and will be contested between these two clubs. Far behind Chamonix and Marseille, far ahead of Anglet and Gap, it seems unlikely that any of these four clubs will interfere in the duel.
Alexis Sutor is well aware: “A big match awaits us in which we will have to be more than just present. The path to the playoffs already started in September, but it intensifies from now on. We know very well that we no longer have the right to make mistakes.” Against the last-placed team, the match that would have been an easy win a few weeks ago is no longer so, given the results of the team from the Hautes-Alpes. On a series of three consecutive wins, two of which were obtained after overtime, it wasn’t really the best time to face them. Especially since the Eagles have not been having a celebration since the beginning of the year with only one win in four games.
Nevertheless, Frantisek Stolc’s men strike first. Under pressure, the Red Devils make a mistake. The Niçois take advantage of it to gain the upper hand through Daniels Berzins in the 6th minute (0-1). A goal that awakens the Briançonnais. The locals reverse the trend. Nice makes several mistakes.
A Game of Superiority
On the second power play, Briançon catches up thanks to William Lemay (1-1). The match gains in intensity and Nice is caught off guard once again. Outmatched in commitment, the Eagles are penalized twice. Another power play that Briançon exploits perfectly to take the lead on the scoreboard. This time it’s Matthew Barnaby Jr who gets past Conrad Molder. The American redeems himself for the mistake that led to the first Nice goal.
The Eagles took the lead until the final moments. Returning from the locker room, Temu Loizeau equalizes (2-2) with a good service from Joseph Broutin. Both teams are much more disciplined and create as many opportunities as one another. Already having made about thirty saves (47 in total during the match), the Nice goalkeeper must concede a third time to a shot from former Niçois Lucas Villain (3-2). Briançon thinks they have done the hardest part before heading back to the locker room, but Marek Sloboda manages to snatch the equalizer on the last opportunity before the break (3-3).
Everything is still to play for in the last 20 minutes. The Maralpins will push, but the goalkeepers shined tonight. But on Briançon’s final penalty, the Eagles find the gap. Taavi Tiala, well-served by Adam Raska and Nicolas Ruel, gives Nice the advantage in the 55th minute (3-4).
A Story of Overtime
But the Red Devils are not known for giving up their games lately. This will be proven once again tonight. The locals go all out by pulling their goalie with two minutes remaining. A high-risk tactic that eventually pays off. The Canadian Chase Dubois finds a way through the Nice defense to equalize in the 59th minute. Briançon secures a third overtime in four games.
In the two previous ones, the Haut-Alpins had won. As the saying goes, third time’s the charm… and this will be proven once again. And it’s William Lemay, already a scorer, who scores a double, condemning the Eagles. Final score (5-4) after overtime and Nice sees Cergy-Pontoise take a two-point lead in the race for the eighth place after their victory at Anglet… in overtime. A very bad result that they will need to correct on Friday during the reception of Anglet. Kick-off at 8 p.m. at the Jean Bouin ice rink.
