After their two championship defeats, Nice Hockey Elite managed to secure an away win against Briançon (2-4). A victory that restores hope for the Nice team before their next match at Jean Bouin.
Smiles finally appeared on the faces of the Azureans. After failing twice against Grenoble (2-4) and Anglet (5-0), the Nice Elite Hockey team really needed to get back on track this season. This was accomplished with a well-deserved 4-2 victory against the Briançon Red Devils. The Eagles recover three points and slowly climb up the standings.
Nice takes the lead quickly
It didn’t take the Nice team long to open the scoring. Ondrej Kopta, with a beautiful pass from Radomir Heizer, scores only 90 seconds into the game (1-0, Nice). A superb play by the Czech international and a very good start for Stanislav Sutor’s men. Despite other opportunities on both sides, no other goals were scored during this opening period.
The second period begins. Another Czech, Michal Popelka, scores again. The 27-year-old forward extends the lead to 2-0 in favor of the Southerners. With dominant play, the Nice Eagles seem to have taken control over their opponents. And they didn’t stop there.
The Devils see red
The situation worsens for the Briançon team, conceding another goal scored by Alexis Sutor 11 minutes into the third period (3-0 Nice). The task seems impossible for the Red Devils.
When Hugo Sarlin narrows the score to 3-1 shortly afterward, Ondrej Kopta once again gives his team a 3-goal lead. 4-1 with less than 3 minutes remaining. Nik Grahut’s consolation goal in the last minute doesn’t change the outcome, Nice wins 4-2 at Briançon.
With this victory, the Eagles collect their first three points of the season and move to 9th place. They will host the current Ligue Magnus leaders, the Ducs d’Angers, at Jean Bouin on October 6th. Briançon, now in 11th place, will welcome the Anglet Hormadi Elite for the 4th day of the championship.
