The Eagles of Nice could no longer afford any mistakes. Facing Anglet, the Niçois did the job at home and returned to the top 8.
There are games you cannot afford to lose. Tonight’s match against Anglet, last in the championship, was one of them. Forced to achieve a good result after the defeat in overtime on Tuesday, the Niçois were highly motivated. Against an opponent they have consistently beaten (seven consecutive successes), the Eagles started the match on the right foot.
Dominant in the Basque camp, the locals quickly found an opening. On a power play, Taavi Tiala capitalized on the excellent work of Nicolas Ruel and Daniels Berzins to score in the 16th minute. Despite this opener, Frantisek Stolc’s men kept struggling against Anglet’s goalie, Dylan St Cyr. The American goalie made 13 saves in the first period, keeping his team in the game.
Reactionary Eagles
The second period was more contested. Both teams seemed well in the game, and Nice appeared to be in control. That was until the start of the third period and Anglet’s equalizer. Just 56 seconds after the match resumed, Nicholas Master, who scored a double on Tuesday, improved his statistics. The American brought his team back level (1-1) by taking advantage of a power play situation due to a surplus of players for the Niçois at the end of the second period.
However, the Maralpins, spurred by the necessity of a result, eventually reacted. And who else but Adam Raska could unlock the situation! The Czech, successful since the beginning of the year, scored his twelfth goal of the season. Nice thus regained the lead (2-1) and did not let it go. In a packed Jean Bouin rink, the Niçois withstood Anglet’s pressure and secured the victory, despite a high-tension end to the match.
With this win, the Eagles move ahead of Cergy-Pontoise with a one-point lead but a game in hand. Now the Niçois need to confirm this result against another struggling team this season, Gap. Meet us this Sunday away, with a kickoff at 6:30 p.m.
