This Tuesday at 8 PM, Nice Hockey faces off against Briançon, the reigning French champion, in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France. It’s a golden opportunity for the Eagles to gain experience and reach the highest level of French hockey.
No pressure. The Jean-Bouin ice rink is expected to be full for what promises to be a high-level ice hockey match, a kind of David versus Goliath. On one side, Nice Hockey, a regular in the first division (2nd national level), on the other, reigning French champion Briançon. Stan Sutor’s men (Nice coach) have nothing to lose, just to enjoy and gain experience for the rest of the season.
Currently 8th out of 13 in Division 1, Nice is having mixed results with 3 wins and 2 losses. In the last match, the Eagles won 4-1 in the championship at Cholet, the bottom of the table team. This Nice team, thanks to good recruitment this summer, is far from giving up and aims to finish in the top 4, aiming for promotion to the Ligue Magnus within two to three seasons.
“It’s a great opportunity, we’re lucky to face a Ligue Magnus team that’s the reigning French champion! It’s a great challenge for us. We’re approaching it without pressure, it’s up to them to feel it! I hope there will be a lot of people in the stands to create the upset and continue the adventure,” explained Nice captain, Aurélien Macon, on the official Nice Hockey website.
It’s worth noting that the two teams have already met this season during the pre-season tournament at the end of August. Briançon’s Red Devils, eventual tournament winners, had a hard-fought 4-2 victory over the Nice team.
Holders of the Ligue Magnus title, Briançon is experiencing difficulties at the start of this season, currently standing only in 12th place (out of 14) in the championship with 2 wins and 4 losses. The French champions recently suffered a heavy defeat in Lyon with a score of 7-3. Undoubtedly, they will want to redeem themselves and gain confidence against Nice Hockey, which competes on a different level.
Clément Bigois and Kevin Chifflet
Photo credits and more information at news.nicehockey.fr
