Down 3-0 midway through the second period, after a nightmarish start to the second act, the Nice Eagles came back to lead 5-3. Before finally falling to the Cergy-Pontoise Jokers (6-5) at the end of a crazy scenario and overtime that served as the deciding factor.
Displaying confidence backed by a perfect start to the season with two victories in as many matches, the Nice Eagles fell tonight against the Cergy-Pontoise Jokers seeking their first points of the season.
Entering with much better intentions than in their previous matches, the Nice players imposed a sustained pace, confiscating the puck and stifling the Île-de-France side constantly on the defensive thanks to aggressive pressure on the puck carrier. This dominance was reflected in a much greater volume of play in favor of the visitors (10 shots to 4) as well as a strong offensive push in the final three minutes. Despite this strong period, the scoreboard remained blank at the break 0-0. The Azuréens had to pay close attention in transition; at the 12th minute, it was Cergy who created the clearest chance of the match on a quick attack, masterfully neutralized at point-blank range by the Nice goaltender. Strong from a rather convincing start, the Eagles seemed armed to tackle what was to come. But the return from the locker room is more brutal.
A second period requiring a comeback
While the Nice players seemed to be in control, the return from the locker room turned into a real nightmare. Caught off guard at the 4th minute of the second period by Gauthier Gibert’s opening goal, assisted by Leevi Karjalainen, the Eagles collapsed two minutes later conceding a second goal by Hannes Lindstrom, assisted by Kalle Myllymaa and Thomas Suire. On fire in this second period, Emils Gegeris increased the lead. With their backs against the wall at 3-0 and kept alive by precious saves from Alexis Shank, the Eagles found salvation in a relieving timeout called by Marc-André Lévesque. The reaction was immediate and resounding. Alexandre Gagnon sparked the comeback at the 11th minute, assisted by Samuel Regis and Lucas Colombin, followed shortly by a hat trick from Hugo Nogaretto. On their momentum, the Azuréens completely ignited the match. It was Canadian Nicholas Cherkowski who sealed this spectacular comeback by scoring the fourth goal before the buzzer. A crazy scenario that allowed the Eagles to take the lead, 4-3, at the end of the second period, which was an act of rare intensity with no fewer than 7 goals.
From paradise to hell
On the momentum of the end of the second period, the Nice players started the final act at full speed. After just one minute and thirty seconds of play, Édouard St-Laurent drove home the final nail and scored the Eagles’ fifth goal (5-3). But far from admitting defeat, the Cergy-Pontoise Jokers threw all their forces into battle and gradually increased the pressure. Long dominant against the home side, Alexis Shank held firm multiple times. The visitors finally found the breakthrough five minutes from the end through Ethan Somoza who narrowed the gap. Pushed by their home crowd, the Jokers fired their last shots and, just two minutes before the final buzzer, Leevi Karjalainen equalized with a shot where Alexis Shank, screened at the moment the puck was released, could do nothing (5-5). A cruel equalizer that sent both teams to overtime.
In a tense overtime match until the very end, Emils Gegeris sealed the fate of the Nice players. A cruel defeat when the visitors had led for much of the match.
The Nice Eagles leave Cergy-Pontoise with one point and 6th place in the standings. Next match this Friday against Briançon at home hoping for the same success as last Friday. Rendez-vous at the Jean Bouin ice rink kickoff at 8 p.m.
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