Nice Hockey starts 2015 as the leader of Division 1 with a trip to Bordeaux, which ranks 3rd and remains unbeaten at home. After being challenged last week against Cholet (winning 3-1), the Eagles are facing the best in the League. With seven consecutive victories since the beginning of November, Nice has nothing to lose and comes in without pressure.
The Meriadeck ice rink in Bordeaux, with its 4,800 seats, eagerly awaits the Division 1 clash. A month after the splendid victory against Anglet (5-1), and a week after the other clash Anglet-Bordeaux (2-3 after overtime), the second tier of French hockey is about to experience another high-level match between teams aiming for the Magnus League at the end of the season.
On one side, the Bordeaux Boxers, third with 22 points (11 wins-3 losses) and one game less. After 17 rounds, the Girondins remain unbeaten at home, winning 7 out of 7 since the start of the season. In their ranks is the best goalie, Sébastien Ylonen, with an average of 1.93 goals conceded per game, and especially two shutouts (games without conceding a goal). The Boxers can also rely on the fourth-best scorer in Division 1, Thomas Decock, with 10 goals and 13 assists. The Boxers approach this game with full confidence after their 3-2 overtime victory last week in Anglet, co-leaders with Nice.
“We got scared but showed that we had resources. This game in Bordeaux will be different. It’s always a pleasant encounter for us because the ice rink is full and the atmosphere is exceptional,” rejoiced Aurélien Macon after the victory against Cholet.
Nice Hockey is also brimming with confidence. With seven consecutive victories, the Eagles are the leaders of Division 1. Challenged for 45 minutes against Cholet last Saturday, Stan Sutor’s men showed character and resilience to turn the game around. Once again, the Finnish goal scorer, Karri Koivu (already 12 goals), made his mark. The third-best offense in the championship, Nice Hockey scores more than 4 goals on average and faces, this Saturday, the best defense with 2.2 goals conceded. Nice will once again rely on its young goalie, Vojtech Sedlacek, who had an excellent first half of the season and was decisive against Cholet.
Defeated 3-1 in the first leg, their only home defeat this season, Nice Hockey wants revenge. After the champagne toast during New Year’s Eve to celebrate being the leader and welcoming the New Year, now onto Bordeaux?
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