Against the Brûleurs de Loups, reigning champions, the Nice Eagles were defeated (5-1) on the 9th matchday of Ligue Magnus. Despite a good start and several strong phases, the Nice team ultimately fell to a more clinical Grenoble side.
Nice had nevertheless started the game well. In the initial minutes, the Nice Eagles applied high pressure and maintained a strong pace. This strategy hindered Grenoble’s playmaking and forced goalkeeper Matija Pintaric to stay alert to several attempts, notably from Colin Morillon and Hugo Nogaretto. Nice’s play was fluid, collective, and determined. However, success eluded them.
Grenoble then found their balance. After a goal by Treille was disallowed for obstruction, Francois Beauchemin opened the scoring with a nice pass from the same Sacha Treille. Christophe Boivin quickly doubled the score after a poorly handled rebound in front of Alexis Shank’s net. This second goal marked a turning point: the Eagles, who had been well-organized until then, lost some of their intensity. The home team took control of the game, occupying the offensive zone for extended periods.
The second period began with a power play for Nice. The puck circulated well, but Matija Pintaric stopped everything without allowing any rebounds. The Nice team maintained possession for several minutes without being able to capitalize. Conversely, Grenoble exploited every small opening. Alexis Binner, with a shot from the blue line, outsmarted the Nice goalkeeper’s vigilance to make it (3-0). Shortly thereafter, Axel Prissaint executed a nice solo run to bring the score to (4-0)!
Despite these setbacks, the Nice players did not give up. Robin Johansson and Hugo Nogaretto attempted to revive the Nice Eagles, but the Grenoble defense held firm. The Nice team lacked precision in transitions, often getting stopped before entering the offensive zone. Issac Charpentier came on for the last period, replacing Alexis Shank. However, the scenario remained the same. Hugo Boivin added a fifth goal during a power play, sealing the game’s fate.
At the end of the match, Nice was rewarded nonetheless. Charles-Antoine Roy closed the gap 30 seconds before the end (5-1), benefiting from a redirected shot into the top corner. This goal symbolizes the Nice Eagles’ determination to not give up, even in adversity.
This defeat puts a halt to the great Nice series. However, the content remains encouraging. The team displayed good phases of play and real cohesion, despite the score. They will now need to regroup before the next match on Friday, October 17, at home against Bordeaux, to confirm their good start to the season and remain in the top half of the standings. The kickoff is at 8 pm.
