With their backs to the wall, the Nice Eagles once again hosted Angers in this game four of the Ligue Magnus playoffs. A match that could mean the end of the season for the Nice team.
The match of last chance. That’s what this fourth playoff confrontation of Ligue Magnus promised. Trailing three wins to none, the Nice Eagles had to absolutely react tonight for their second home match in this quarter-final against the Ducs d’Angers. After a narrow defeat in game one, the Nice players didn’t let themselves be discouraged. But the experience of the Angers team had ultimately paid off in games two and three. So there was hope of seeing the Maralpins pull off a nice upset in front of their home crowd who came in numbers for what could be the last match of the season at Jean-Bouin.
Well into their match, the Nice players were keen not to go out the back door. On a fault by the Angers goalie, who had been imperious the day before, Nice managed to open the scoring. On a well-inspired movement by Jasper Larinmaa, Henrik Rommel sends the puck toward the goal. But here’s the thing: the puck never went in, as a result of an accidental blade touch in the cage given by Jacob Smith. After video review, the referees decide to award the goal to the Nice Eagles: 1-0.
In the opening of a match with as much intensity as the day before, Nice managed its lead. Alexis Shank, vigilant, repelled a close-range attempt by Jere Rouhiainen before making a series of saves, a symbol of the Ducs’ dominance. A dominance that would ultimately prove fatal to the Eagles. Coming out of a power play, the visitors finally find the opening on a counterattack. Assisted by Philippe Halley, Orrin Centazzo beats the Nice goalie one-on-one to bring the two teams level: 1-1. Just before the break, tempers flared once more, but the score remained unchanged.
The Nice Eagles didn’t give up an inch
After returning from the locker room, the game got tougher, offering numerous power plays as in the first period. On a high stick, Yoan Salve leaves his teammates short-handed. An opportunity that the Angers team converts this time on a perfectly executed play. Left out by a defense that was well in place, the top scorer of the Ducs, Olivier Archambault, takes advantage of a nice lateral pass from Philippe Halley, alone with his golden helmet. Alexis Shank can do nothing about it: 1-2.
You might think things would get complicated, but the Nice Eagles stayed in the game. Disciplined in defense, Pascal Margerit’s men ride out the storm. In the second half of the match, the balance of power evens out. Nice gets more opportunities, like captain Nicolas Ruel whose shot is deflected at the last second by the Ducs’ goalie, without managing to make the difference.
We had to wait until the 50th minute to see the Eagles regain control. More impactful at the start of the third period, the Azuréens create the best chances. It’s finally Jasper Larinmaa, already a passer on the first goal, who becomes a scorer. With a man advantage, following a high stick by Jordan Hervé, the Azuréens take the time to build their play. Forgotten on the left side of the goal, Larinmaa only has to push the puck into the back of the net after being set up at the blue line by Samuel Régis.
Level once again, the Nice Eagles push to make a difference against visitors who are physically weaker but still dangerous on the counter and keen to finish off this quarter-final series.
Except things didn’t go as planned for them. Well positioned, the Maralpins hold firm to force overtime. An exercise that suits the Nice team well, with four consecutive successes in this format. Tonight was no exception. Starting from his zone and well-launched after a puck recovery by Nicholas Cherkowski, number 17, Jordan Mugnier (voted best player of the match on the Nice side) beats the Angers goalie with a clean shot to give victory to the Nice Eagles (3-2) in an outpouring of joy.
So there will indeed be a game five in this quarter-final. The next meeting is set for Saturday, March 21 in Angers. Puck drop at 6:30 p.m.
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