The Eagles won the match last night with a score of 5-1 against the Phoenix of Reims. The Nice team is therefore in the final of the French Division 1 Championship!!
They did it!!
-NICE IS IN THE FINAL!!!
In front of more than 900 spectators and after a superb performance, they outclass the Phoenix team of Reims with a score of 5-1. They thus secure a spot in the final, where they will meet the Mulhouse team.
The first match is on Wednesday, April 11, in Mulhouse, the second match on Saturday, April 14 (7:15 pm) in Nice, and if necessary, Sunday, April 15 in Nice.
From the beginning of the game, a determined Nice team showed up: indeed, Nice had to win this match to secure their ticket to the final.
Immediately, the Eagles put pressure on the Phoenix. Better organized and technically superior, they caused problems for their opponent. Thanks to a penalty shot taken by Stefan MAJERNIK, they logically opened the score (1-0). They even audaciously scored a second goal while shorthanded, by Jan BABIC. End of the first period: 2 to 0 for the Eagles.
The second period was marked by numerous penalties. During a power play, the Azuréens drove the nail further in through Lukas CVEJN (3-0). The match intensified and became a much-appreciated spectacle at the Jean Bouin Sports Palace. Supported by the cheering of the “Testa Pelada”, loyal supporters of the Nice hockey players, the Azuréens ended the period with a score of 3-0.
The third period was again filled with penalties: 30 minutes for Nice and 47 for Reims! The Reims team, using their large builds and not always in a sporting manner, attempted to make the Nice players doubt. They scored a goal at the beginning of the period, with a penalty shot by Jérémy SABATIER (3-1). The Nice team, staying focused, continued to push forward and create danger before the Reims goal. In response to the Nice offensives, multiple unsportsmanlike actions by the Reims players occurred and were too rarely penalized. The referee even penalized the Nice players for disputable fouls. Stan SUTOR’s men did not give up, as if the aggressions from the Reims team gave them a surge of courage.
Through hard work and determination, they broke through twice more with two splendid goals. The first was signed by Karri KOIVU, after excellent work by Michal DIAN, who sent him a quick pass to the second post (4-1). The second came once again from the very in-form Nice player Michal DIAN this weekend: he outpaced the Reims defense and then assisted Jozef SLANINAK between two defenders, who punished the opposing goalie with a shot in the top corner (5-1).
The end of the game was marked by two fights. Indeed, the men led by François DUSSEAU, frustrated, attacked the Nice players Michal DIAN and Stefan RUSNAK right from the face-off. Nevertheless, the match was almost over (59min 52), and the championship final was then just a matter of seconds away.
The NICE team is therefore IN THE FINAL thanks to this ultimate 5-1 victory. They have achieved and even surpassed their goals, which were to reach the semi-final. They will now aim for the ultimate prize.
First meeting this Wednesday in Mulhouse, before receiving at the Jean BOUIN Sports Palace, Saturday, April 14 (7 pm) for this historical final. Suspense guaranteed…
