For the fifth day of the Ligue Magnus, the Niçois won (3-2) in the southern derby.
After their convincing victory against the Boxers on Tuesday, the Eagles of Nice wanted to keep the momentum going. Facing the Spartiates of Marseille, it was the sixth placed against the seventh. On September 1st, the Spartiates had come to win (4-2) at the Jean Bouin ice rink. So there was a sense of revenge for the Niçois.
In the opening of this first period, both teams neutralized each other. The numerous inaccuracies in the game made the match choppy. After a Niçois foul, the Marseillais were awarded a penalty. They didn’t hesitate and Teddy Da Costa opened the score, chilling the atmosphere in the ice rink.
Coach Frantisek Stolc’s men did not get discouraged and regained control of the match and the puck. The Niçois created multiple chances but could not outsmart the Marseille goalkeeper. Finally, in the fourteenth minute, after a magnificent team play from the Larinmaa brothers, Kasper Elo leveled the score.
Elo’s teammates continued their offensive play towards the Phocean goal. Louis Vitou could have even doubled the score but missed his one-on-one with the Marseille goalkeeper. A good first period that promised an exciting match.
A More Paced Second Period
With few stoppages and a puck that remained active in the playing area, both teams showed a good performance in this second act. The Niçois resumed with the same intentions without being able to convert their actions into goals. They were even taken by surprise by opportunistic Marseille players.
The Phocéens took the lead again thanks to Patrick Machac. But just like against Bordeaux, the Niçois did not take long to respond. Sautereau equalized, freeing Jean Bouin. The teams were head-to-head, exchanging blows.
However, Frantisek Stolc’s players didn’t stop there and regained the lead with the in-form player of the week. Larinmaa put the Eagles back in front, affirming his team’s strong intentions. The Niçois needed to remain solid in the final period to secure their third consecutive victory.
A Scoreless Final Period
The Niçois were able to remain solid in defense and did not concede any goals. They withstood numerous Marseille attempts.
In a tense end of the match where both teams tried to gain the upper hand,
It was the Niçois who remained the most responsive to clinch their third consecutive victory (3-2).
This bodes well for the last of the three matches this week. The Maralpins will face Besançon Sunday once again at home.
