On December 23, during the 27th day of the Ligue Magnus, the Nice Eagles were defeated on their ice by the Rouen Dragons (2-5), after trailing 4-0 at the end of two periods. Despite a spirited comeback in the final third, the team from Nice paid for their lack of efficiency against Rouen’s realism. A month later, at the Île Lacroix rink, the Nice Eagles returned to face Rouen with a clear idea in mind: to take their revenge and present a completely different image. Even if the outcome was still cruel, the dynamics of the match told a very different story.
A demanding context for the Nice Eagles
Against one of the most feared teams in the championship, the Nice Eagles knew they would have to demonstrate rigor and patience. In Rouen, in front of a crowd supporting the Dragons, every mistake is costly. This high-intensity clash lived up to all its promises: physical engagement, sustained pace, and a thrilling scenario into the Normandy night.
From the opening minutes, the Rouen team imposed their tempo, aiming to suffocate the Nice team with aggressive forechecking. Nice, disciplined, accepted to endure in phases and aimed to quickly project forward.
First period: Rouen strikes first
The local pressure eventually paid off. At 5:40, Chase Gresock opened the scoring for Rouen, well assisted by Philippe Roy and Romain Vigners. A goal that rewarded a well-managed start by the Dragons.
Nevertheless, the Nice Eagles did not panic. More solid defensively than in the first matchup, they managed to contain the opposing offensive waves and returned to the locker room with a deficit limited to a single goal, an element already indicative of their progress.
Second period: Nice concedes, then responds
The scenario seemed to get more complicated as the game resumed. At 12:57, Alexandre Lavoie doubled the lead for Rouen after a well-executed team play initiated by David Yeo and Romain Vigners. At 2-0, the memory of the December 23 game loomed dangerously.
But this time, the response from Nice was immediate. At 16:41, Samuel Regis reignited his team by reducing the gap, perfectly assisted by Hugo Nogaretto. This goal changed the dynamics of the match. The Nice Eagles gained confidence, contested more duels, and finished the second period with renewed intensity.
Third period: the revolt of the Nice Eagles
The final act was a battle. The defenses took precedence, each puck was fiercely contested, and every detail became decisive. Rouen managed, while Nice persisted.
At 17:01, the exploit materialized: Nicolas Ruel equalized, bringing the Nice Eagles level. A goal that symbolized hope, but above all, confirmation: Nice was no longer the same opponent as a month earlier. The final seconds of regulation time were tense, but neither team was able to make a decisive play.
An expeditious and cruel overtime
The overtime, always ruthless, lasted only a minute. In a quick play, Simon Lafrance scored the winning goal for Rouen, assisted by Alexandre Rech and Filip Chakiachvili. The blow was harsh for the Nice Eagles, who lost 3-2 after overtime, just one minute shy of a resounding accomplishment.
A defeat, but a strong message
While the standings may record a defeat, the content of the match sends a strong signal. Unlike the December 23 game, the Nice Eagles competed for sixty minutes with one of the top teams in the Ligue Magnus. Defensive discipline, the ability to respond, and mental fortitude were evident.
They lacked a bit of realism and perhaps a touch of freshness in decisive moments, but this performance confirms that Nice is progressing and learning to manage high-level matches.
Looking ahead to the upcoming revenge
This encounter left a bitter taste but also real reasons to believe. By turning these solid performances into victories, the Nice Eagles can aim higher and approach the rest of the season with ambition.
In Rouen, the revenge is not complete yet. But one thing is certain: the Nice Eagles have clearly changed the story.
