If the Amiens squirrels were the favorites for the match, the Nice Angels can harbor many regrets after losing 3-2 on their home ground on Saturday evening.
Everything had started well with Nice being defensively diligent and pressing effectively. This work created a few opportunities for the home team in the early minutes. Indeed, the score was quickly opened in the 3rd minute by Anthony Miramond, assisted by Pierre Carreton. Miramond struck again in the 6th minute, capitalizing on a puck loss by an opposing defender to get past Fabien Rouette, the Amiens goalkeeper.
In the 12th minute, Bourlon reduced the score for the visitors against the flow of play. The beginning of the game had been largely in favor of Nice. This goal had the dual effect of boosting confidence for one team while sowing doubt in the other. Nice then began to be less dominant and committed fouls. As a result, during two power plays, the squirrels managed to equalize (Gimel) and then take the lead (Detaille) before halftime: 2-3.
The second half was punctuated by referee whistles leading to numerous power play situations for both teams. No goals were scored, thanks in part to some fine saves by Nice goalkeeper Roman De Preval.
The Angels thus missed an opportunity to secure 3 vital points at the start of the championship. They will have to blame a lack of offensive realism and too much indiscipline.
They currently sit in 8th place in the rankings and will play their next match on November 5th in Villeneuve la Garenne.
-Evening results:
Nice – Amiens: 2-3
Anglet – Reims: 10-2
Rethel – Paris: 7-4
Grenoble – Villeneuve: 5-3
Angers – Caen: 6-5
-Rankings:
1 – Rethel (15 pts), 2 – Anglet (12), 3 – Amiens (12), 4 – Paris (7), 5 – Grenoble (7), 6 – Angers (7), 7 – Villeneuve (6), 8 – Nice (4), 9 – Caen (3), 10 – Reims (0)
