With eight mostly Scandinavian arrivals and several departures, including the goalkeeper Carlson and Marcus Lindholm, the NHCA roster has been renewed for this new season. This did not prevent coach Peter Almasy’s men from starting the game with drums pounding and sharp sticks. Right from the start, the Nice players pressed the Rhone players, forcing them to commit fouls and play for two minutes with a numerical disadvantage from the 25th second.
The Lions resist the Eagles and the Eagles the Lions. The azure goal remains inviolable, and the visitors take advantage of a double numerical superiority to trouble the new Nice goalkeeper, who manages to thwart the rare opposing offensives.
Back to six against six, Nice resumes the attack and scores through Gillardin (9:22) then by Wilhelmsson (11:54). The end of the first period is approaching. The navy and burgundy team find themselves with a double disadvantage for the last few seconds and the beginning of the second period.
The locals lead 2 to 0. Benefiting from their numerical advantage, Lyon steadies the situation. The 200 supporters filling the stands of the Palais des Sports Jean Bouin boo the referees. They accuse Mr. Catelin and Mr. Popa of penalizing their team too often, which won’t play six aside until the middle of the second period. The Lyonnais take advantage of this to level the score through Duda (20:36) and Bachelet (23:28). Nice soon responds and regains the lead thanks to Alstergren (35:31). It’s with a score of 3 to 2 that the two teams leave each other before the final confrontation of the last period.
The third period is balanced. Lyon manages to level the score again through Bigot (52:50). Captain Pascal Margerit, with a double, and his assistant captain Romain Laplace allow the NHCA to regain a final decisive advantage (54:31 and 55:36) despite a disadvantage, finally winning 5 goals to 3.
The supporters can unleash their joy at the end of this hour of play, raising hopes for a very promising season. A promotion perhaps?
All info at https://www.nicehockey.com.
Next match: Saturday, September 23 against Chambéry at 19:00 at the Palais des Sports Jean Bouin in division 2, south group (equivalent to the third division).
