The Eagles of Nice won 3-2 against the Dunkirk Corsairs. Trailing 2-0, Nice managed to get back into the game and then turned the tide at the end of overtime. This team has character and can calmly prepare for their match against Anglet this Wednesday.
The first period was a matter of saves. The two goalkeepers played their part, ensuring the score was goalless at the break.
The match initially swung in favor of Dunkirk, who entered the game well. The attacks multiplied, but Sedlacek was imperious. The Nice goalie even stopped a penalty shot in the 3rd minute.
Once the storm passed, the Eagles decided to take matters into their own hands, but the Corsairs’ goalie was also of high quality. The goal line was impenetrable on both sides.
Each team had its strong moments in these first twenty minutes.
A penalty story
Back from the locker room, Nice immediately attacked Dunkirk’s goal. The onslaughts didn’t cease. The Nice team even opened the scoring, but unfortunately, the goal was disallowed because the cage was off its moorings before the puck crossed the line. The Nice team didn’t stop there and continued to pressure the opposing goal.
Against the run of play, Dunkirk opened the scoring through AlanWalter. (3’58”, 0-1). Sedlacek couldn’t do anything. He was screened by his defense. His team was shorthanded.
Immediately after, the Eagles had the chance to equalize, but the Corsairs’ goalie won his face-off against Martin. When things don’t go your way… “The opposing goalkeeper played a great game,” confirmed Stan Sutor, coach of Nice Hockey.
A few minutes later, Dunkirk widened the gap again with a power play goal by Marek Mikusovic. (10’16”, 0-2) Sedlacek conceded for the second time that evening. The Nice team largely dominated in the second period, yet Dunkirk was leading.
In such situations, it’s the leader’s role to show the way, and that’s what captain Aurélien Macon did. Nice also took advantage of its power play. Macon finished off a well-constructed play by Martin Slovak and Milan Varga. He allowed his team to narrow the gap and get back in the game. (13’29”, 1-2)
Never give up
The final period resembled the second, with Nice dominating but repeatedly coming up against a superb goalkeeper. Nice Hockey refused to give up and continued to create opportunities. “We had to believe in it; Dunkirk scored two lucky goals at the blue line. We played a great game; we dominated and had a lot of chances; we had to keep attacking,” explained Stan Sutor.
The choice paid off as Nice Hockey was finally rewarded through Kubus. (12’04”, 2-2). The score remained unchanged, leading to overtime.
At the end of suspense
The tension rose, and both teams had no room for errors. Attacks came from both directions, with plenty of ice space. The goalkeepers were continually solicited, but three minutes before the end of the match, Martin Vojsovic decided otherwise. He dribbled past the goalkeeper and skillfully pushed the puck into the net, magnificent. The Jean Bouin ice rink erupted.
Midway through the championship, Nice Hockey remains the leader and undefeated at home. With the defeats of Anglet and Cholet, the Eagles even widen the gap in the standings. The Eagles will face Hormadi Anglet this Wednesday (7:15 PM) in a rescheduled match (postponed after the Paris attacks).
Kevin Chifflet
