Returning to the Riviera following their impressive victory against Strasbourg, the Nice Eagles triumphed over the Chamonix Pioneers with a score of 5 to 2. The 741 spectators at the Jean Bouin venue witnessed a match of mixed performances, transitioning from a laborious first period to a spectacular and tense end between the two teams.
A Lackluster First Period
During the first third of the game, both teams assessed each other cautiously and took no risks. The play was centered around set attacks, and the offenses lacked initiative. The two standout figures early on were the goalkeepers.
In the second period, boredom gave way to euphoria. The Pioneers were the first to initiate a charge by opening the scoring at 6 minutes and 57 seconds with Henric Andersen taking advantage of a power play. The Eagles quickly responded by scoring two goals within a two-minute interval, thanks to Juuso Perttila and Olivier Dame Malka.
Trailing by a goal, Chamonix calmed the fervor of Nice by equalizing just twenty-five seconds later. On the final play of the second period, the red and blacks had a goal disallowed due to a contentious play.
Nice on Display
Returning from the locker rooms, the Chamonix players committed a series of foolish penalties, allowing the Eagles to score during a two-player advantage. With two minutes remaining, Chamonix was compelled to attack. Heikki Leime (coach of the Pioneers) chose to pull his goalkeeper to bolster their offensive efforts. This decision proved fatal, as Nice’s number 54, Matus Matis, easily increased the lead.
The Eagles ensured the spectacle by adding a fifth goal. For the second consecutive match, the Nice team scored at least five goals.
Thanks to this victory, Stanislav Sutor’s men are seventh in the Ligue Magnus, just one point behind Bordeaux. Bordeaux will visit the Jean Bouin venue on Friday, February 1st at 8:00 PM.
