In Chamonix, the Nice Eagles secured their fifth consecutive victory. A win against a direct playoff competitor that boosts both morale and standing.
An intense match. This is what the Nice management promised before this highly important match. “We are on a good run and we want to ride this wave as long as possible. Winning in Chamonix is never easy; it will surely be a physical and mental battle every moment: Chamonix can count on us, we will be ready,” said the club’s general manager, Nicolas Tomasini. Fully aware of the evening’s stakes, the Eagles were not the favorites at kickoff. Odd, considering the recent results of the two teams, as well as their last encounter (a Nice victory at the championship opener 3-2).
From the start, Nice put pressure on the opposing goal. The Pioneers were pushed to make mistakes but managed to resist well. The Haut-Savoyard goalkeeper fiercely defended his net until the end of the first period. The Niçois were not well rewarded, as they usually make a mark later in the matches. But that’s exactly what they did. Following the return to even strength, Marc André Levesque initiated a scoring action. The captain was well assisted by Luka Kalan, who set up Marek Sloboda for the finish (0-1, 34th minute). Chamonix was affected but not defeated. Conrard Molder was put to the test. The Nice goalie managed to keep his net untouched until the 3rd period.
The Match Intensifies
Chamonix pressed for an equalizer. But it was the Eagles who extended their lead. Newly turned thirty, Adam Raska, well assisted by Filip Dvorak, supplied a perfect pass to Nicolas Ruel (0-2). With a numerical advantage, the Maralpins made a difference. Their opportunism showed that the team is confident and feels capable of maximizing various opportunities. This would be decisive tonight. Despite conceding a goal through Clément Masson (1-2), Nice held on. The Pioneers tried everything as usual in the final minutes. This situation played to the advantage of Ondrej Kopta. The Czech delivered the final blow to the hosts (1-3) in the last seconds.
Thus, the Nice Eagles wrapped up their successful week with a great victory after Tuesday’s success in the French Cup in Marseille. Although they were supposed to face Grenoble at home on Sunday, the match was ultimately postponed. Therefore, we’ll have to wait until next week and a trip to Cergy-Pontoise on Friday to see the Eagles on the ice again.
