Ligue Magnus: First defeat at Jean-Bouin for the Nice Eagles

After three consecutive victories at home, the Nice Eagles were upset this evening by the Rouen Dragons. Dominated in the first period and without any real superiority in the second, the Eaglets collapsed in the third period and suffer their first defeat at Jean-Bouin (0-5).

Second match of the week, here at Jean Bouin. Following their convincing victory Tuesday against Bordeaux, the Nice Eagles faced another tough opponent this evening. Facing them were the Rouen Dragons, winners of the French Cup last year. The men under Marc-André Lévesque had to maintain the same level as their recent home matches.

The Eaglets experienced a particularly painful first period against the Rouen Dragons. Caught off guard from the start of the match, the Nice players quickly conceded the opening goal in the 3rd minute on a shot by Pier-Olivier Roy assisted by Ryan Lasch and Nicolas Ritz, beating a helpless Alexis Shank. Overwhelmed in all areas and particularly shaky in defense, the Côte d’Azur side collapsed two minutes later when Tomas Simonsen doubled the lead for the Normans, assisted by Pier-Olivier Roy and Nicolas Ritz. Completely lifeless offensively during the first ten minutes, Nice conceded a third goal through Simon Lafrance in the 8th minute, assisted by Nicholas Baptiste and Tomas Simonsen. Despite a first shot on goal mid-period and a final period played with a power play, the Eaglets failed to find the back of the net. Without any collective response against a surgical Rouen side, the Nice players will need to show a completely different face when play resumes if they hope to get back into the match and overcome a three-goal deficit.

All good things must come to an end

Returning from the locker room, the Eaglets showed a more solid defensive face, managing to contain the Normandy assaults during the first five minutes without any real danger. But on the offensive side, the much-anticipated reaction remained far too timid despite a more stifling presence. For example, with an attempt in the 6th minute of the second period that sent shivers through the Jean-Bouin ice rink, but apart from that the Rouen goaltender was never really tested. In a period overall lacking highlights, the Nice players also failed to take advantage of a two-minute penalty given by Rouen late in the period to get on the scoreboard. With 20 minutes until the final whistle, the score remains unchanged (0-3) to the great despair of the Côte d’Azur supporters, still waiting for a breakthrough from their team.

As the final period progressed, things did not improve for Marc-André Lévesque’s men. Just like in the second period, the Eaglets were more present offensively in the first ten minutes but without troubling the opposing team, which held its score firmly. The visitors even took the liberty of adding to the scoreboard and crushing the maralpins. In the 10th minute it was Robin Colomban assisted by Tommy Perret and Vincent Nesa who kills the hopes of the Eaglets before a minute later Tomas Simonsen gets a hat trick and brings the final score to 5-0.

“ It’s the score we deserve”, an unambiguous reaction

After this crushing defeat, bitterness and lucidity dominated the Côte d’Azur ranks. “It’s a first home defeat that hurts, admitted forward Teemu Loizeau, making no excuses after this clear reversal. We didn’t come in ready, we weren’t skating well and we did nonsense. This 5-0 score is heavy, but it’s the score we deserve.” A sentiment shared by his coach, disappointed by the lack of tactical discipline from his men against a heavyweight of the Ligue Magnus. “We shot ourselves in the foot. We knew that if we gave them those kinds of chances, they would capitalize. We were simply beaten by a better team,” conceded the Nice coach. The only glimmer of hope in this dark picture is the prospect of immediate redemption this Sunday in Chamonix. “We’re going to forget what happened today and go back to a new battle,” concluded Loizeau.

After this first home defeat, the Nice Eagles are 6th in the standings and will need to bounce back. Next appointment in Chamonix. Kickoff this Sunday at 18:35.