The step was too high for the Eagles, swept away by Grenoble in their last playoff match (0-7)
The Niçois, eliminated from the final phase, could do nothing against an undeniably more experienced opponent.
The feat seemed very difficult, but hope was indeed present. After losing the first three games of the quarter-finals against the Wolf Burners, the Eagles were counting on a final home game to turn the tide. Not at all, Grenoble, six-time winners of the Magnus League, made no mistakes and had a flawless run in this series.
In a match largely controlled, the Isérois managed to contain the opposing offensives and punish the inefficiency of the NHE in front of the goal. The visitors scored their first goal in their first action in the 3rd minute of play thanks to S. Treille. 1-0 then 2-0, with a goal from A. Manavian (12th). Before the end of the first period, the BDL tripled the score through D. Fleury (17th), a rather unjust scenario considering the opportunities of the Niçois.
The second period started very badly for the Azuréens, who conceded a 4th goal after just 42 seconds of play (S. Treille’s double). Grenoble’s K. Hardy also scored twice, registering the next two goals during the game. The resigned Eagles even conceded a last goal in the final minute of the third period. 7-0 final score, the NHE, in their first-ever playoff participation, lost the series with a clean and decisive 4-0.
This last match tarnishes the end of Nice’s journey, who nevertheless had a very good regular season, but still lack that little extra against the top teams of Magnus League.
Yassine Said Hassane
