Nice Hockey was defeated (1-3) at home against the Remparts de Tours in game 2 of the quarterfinals of the playoffs. The team from Tours enjoys the Jean Bouin rink as this is their second victory after the 6-3 win in the regular season. The final match at 7:15 PM promises to be thrilling.
The “last of the last”
The decisive match will indeed take place, as each club has secured a victory in their quarterfinals, they will have to be separated this Sunday evening (7:15 PM), once again at the Jean Bouin rink. At stake is a spot in the semifinals.
“It was written that we shouldn’t win tonight. The boys wanted it too much. We are going to have a light workout before tomorrow’s game, and we will take the time to analyze the match to come back on the ice and get the win,” analyzed the coach, Stan Sutor.
Playoff atmosphere
The Jean Bouin rink was packed for the event. The supporters cheered like never before throughout the first and last thirds. However, like the team, they had a downturn during the second period. As for the players, right from the start of the game, they showed a lot of intensity. Every contact on the ice was tense. The players didn’t hesitate to make hits. The importance of the match had put all the participants under pressure, right up to the last second.
When it’s just not meant to be…
Nice Hockey tried everything, in vain. Tours can thank their excellent goalkeeper, who was in top form, and their lucky star. The Nice players hit the posts twice and the crossbar once, thanks to the in-form Milan Varga. They also had ten power plays (two-minute advantage over the opponent) but never capitalized on them. This has been a weak point this season. “Each player wanted to put on a show; we didn’t play well collectively. All week, our players saw themselves as too good. After the victory in the first leg, we were already thinking about the semifinals,” regrets Pascal Margerit, assistant coach of the Eagles.
Effectiveness
A post, a crossbar, and a missed one-on-one at the beginning of the match left Nice lacking success. Tours managed their weak and strong moments. They opened the scoring against the run of play, courtesy of Petr Domin. (0-1, 18th min). After returning from the locker room, Nice hit the frame again, and Tours took advantage to double their lead with a goal from Thomas Saint André. (0-2, 24th min). In the last period, Samuel Aquin gave his team hope in the 49th minute (1-2), and they pushed to equalize. Tours, opportunistic, regained their two-goal lead three minutes before the final buzzer, ending the optimism of the Eagles. George Lovatsis concluded the play (1-3, 57th min).
Dominating doesn’t mean winning; Tours had very few chances but showed efficiency in front of Sedlacek’s goal. Exhausted at the end of the match, both teams will return to the ice in the early evening for a final match that promises to be exciting and stressful. There is no doubt that everything will be decided on mental and physical strength after 60 minutes of high intensity.
Kevin Chifflet
Photo credit and more information on www.nicehockey.fr
