Nice Hockey is the D1 champion! Against Anglet, they won 4-1 and in style. In front of a roaring crowd, the Nice team did the job for this fifth and final match of the playoff finals.
For this final, the Jean Bouin arena is packed to the rafters, the stands are crowded, and some supporters had to stand behind the goals, near the glass. The players hit the ice in a frenzy of excitement. “Whoever isn’t jumping isn’t from Nice!” or “ISSA NISSA” resonate through the rows of Jean Bouin.
For the first ten minutes, the Nice team is dominated by a fearless Anglet team. Vojtech Sedlacek is once again very important, ensuring his team doesn’t concede a goal. Later in the evening, he will logically be named MVP (most valuable player) of the finals. Nice Hockey’s first big opportunity comes only in the 12th minute. A few seconds later, the post saves Anglet from conceding the first goal. Nice feels much better, they even hit the post a second time. The two teams return to the lockers with a tied score (0-0) despite the tremendous intensity brought by the players.
Time for a demonstration
The Nice team returns to the ice with the same intentions. Aggressive, they set their pace and are rewarded with Aurélien Macon opening the score. A captain leading by example. After two passes from Matej Hamrak and Matej Misura from the right to the left, he beats the goalie by placing the puck in the top corner. A superb collective action (1-0, 22’28’’). The arena erupts!
Nice Hockey dominates, things move too fast for Anglet, which concedes a penalty shot. Nice’s Andrej Brejka steps up and deceives the goalkeeper (2-0, 26’34’’). The ecstatic supporters make their voices heard.
Nice promptly takes two penalties and plays with 3 on the ice. Well organized, they manage to hold firm. Nothing can happen to them, the cup seems to have chosen its camp.
Just afterward, Anglet plays shorthanded, and Nice capitalizes on its power play to widen the lead. Milan Varga, unchallenged, sends a missile from the blue line into the top corner (3-0, 31’09’’). The arena is on fire, it’s almost “too easy” for a final. Anglet regroups, needing to show a different side to hope for something. Against the run of play, the Basques reduce the gap through Tomas Rubes despite another save from Sedlacek (3-1, 35’52’’).
At the end of this period, Anglet pushes and comes close to getting back in the game. Nice’s number 34, Lukas Spelda, saves the puck on the line and clears. Nice barely escapes, but they head to the locker room with a 2-goal lead.
All in control
In the final third of the match, Anglet tries, but Nice keeps control. The goalies make some saves on distant shots. In terms of possession, it’s 50/50. Nice is pushed, supported by its crowd. Anglet goes all out and removes its goalkeeper. A mistake for the Basques, as Zbynek Hampl seizes the opportunity to send the puck into the empty net (4-1, 59’45’’). It’s all over, Nice is the champion for the first time in its history! A certain March 26, 2016, will remain etched in the memory of the players, the club, and their supporters.
“Champion of France! Champion of France! Champion, champion, champion of France!”
After the medal and trophy presentation, the Nice team celebrated the title as it should with their supporters. Between sliding on the ice, photos, songs, and jumps accompanying the traditional “whoever isn’t jumping isn’t from Nice!”, this magical moment truly reflects the importance of this HIS-TO-RIC title.
Find the reactions of the coach and two of the players in the following article: https://www.nicepremium.fr/sports,2/sports-collectifs,29/hockey-les-reactions-des-champions-de-france,18742.html?var_mode=preview
Kevin Chifflet
