Nice was away against an underdog for this 2024-2025 Ligue Magnus season. In a suspenseful scenario in Bordeaux, the Nice team came close to a feat.
A cruel evening for the Eagles. The teammates of Marc-Andrรฉ Lรฉvesque were not the favorites for this match. Yet, it was a close call. Facing a team lacking confidence this November (2 losses, 1 win for Bordeaux), Nice had every chance.
At the beginning of the match, the Maralpins seized their opportunity boldly. The game was clean and quite balanced. The Azurรฉens took the lead through Adam Raska (13th minute). A goal not so illogical considering this first third period.
The rest of the game became much more complicated. Frantisek Stolc’s men began to slowly retreat. Conrad Molder was in demand and was having a very good match up to that point. But the visitors’ defense eventually broke in the 36th minute, after a fine play led by Kรฉvin Dusseau and concluded by Samuel Salonen. The Boxers got back into the game and it started to get complicated for Nice.
The Nice stronghold broke down
In this final part of the match, Nice suffered. Bordeaux increased the pace and besieged the Nice goalkeeper’s net. Mirroring his game against Rouen on Tuesday, Conrad Molder showcased his best skills. The Estonian made no fewer than 21 saves in this third period. Firmly resolved to avenge last month’s affront (a 7-1 home defeat), the Nice team tightened up its defense. But the stronghold gave way in the 48th minute after a goal by the young Enzo Carry (2-1). At that point, it seemed the match was poorly engaged. Bordeaux continued pushing, but the Nice goalkeeper remained vigilant. Ultimately, Nice managed to equalize, quite surprisingly. With three minutes left in regulation time, Luka Kalan assisted Leevi Karjalainen in one of the rare Nice opportunities. The Finn equalized at (2-2).
The two teams went into overtime. But the Boxers maintained their momentum. And on a power play after a foul by the last Nice scorer, Maxim Lamarche slipped the puck into the net past an otherwise brilliant Conrad Molder, who made 49 saves that evening.
Nice thus lost 3-2 after overtime, leaving Bordeaux on the Ligue Magnus podium. Now, the Eagles can catch their breath after their recent weeks’ series of games. The next rendezvous for the Eagles is next Friday at home against Cergy-Pontoise. A match that will be crucial in the fight for the playoffs. Kick-off is at 8 PM.
