On Saturday, Nice was defeated 4-2 on their home ice against Mulhouse. This play-off match places the Niçois in an uncomfortable situation before the return match next week in Mulhouse.
The Jean Bouin rink was packed this Saturday evening. 1,200 people gathered to support the Eagles. Unfortunately, it was the Mulhouse Scorpions who prevailed over the locals. Encouraged by about fifty devotees, the Alsatians are in a strong position to qualify for the D1 semi-finals.
Yet, everything had started well for the Niçois. After 4 minutes of play, Michal Kapicka gave his team the lead. Driven by their fans, the Eagles would double the score after 11 minutes and 30 seconds of play. Thanks to Aurélien Macon, Nice was leading 2-0. It was an ideal start to this first leg of the quarter-finals.
But Mulhouse was not going to give up and almost immediately got back in the game thanks to Michal Klejna. At the end of the first period, it was the Niçois who were leading the race. But at the start of the second period, it was clear that Mulhouse returned to the ice with better intentions. And after 10 minutes of play, the Scorpions equalized thanks to Pavel Mrna. 2-2, the final period promised a full suspense.
But as in any team sport, a goalkeeper often makes the difference. And Lukas Skrecko, the Eagles’ goalkeeper, made a small mistake that proved fatal for his team. Niko Uola only had to push the puck into the empty net. And with a minute left, Pavel Mrna sealed his team’s victory by scoring on a counter-attack. 4-2, the game was over for the brave Niçois who did not forget to thank their supporters.
The Eagles are now with their backs against the wall. They need to win the return match next Saturday and then prevail in the tiebreaker match the following day. The problem is, Mulhouse has only been defeated once at home…
