On the 27th day of the Ligue Magnus, the Nice Eagles were defeated on their own ice by the Rouen Dragons (2-5). Trailing 4-0 after two periods, the people of Nice showed character during the third period, scoring two goals and delivering a more accomplished end to the match. Despite this late reaction, the Nice Eagles paid for their lack of efficiency and the collective mastery of a realistic Rouen team.
From the start of the match, the Nice Eagles approached the game with seriousness and discipline. Facing a well-organized Rouen team, the people of Nice primarily aimed to stay defensively compact while quickly moving forward as soon as they regained the puck. The pace was fast, and the duels were numerous, indicating the intensity of this Ligue Magnus evening on the ice at Jean Bouin.
The opening minutes were relatively balanced, but the Dragons were more precise in the key areas. At 8’51, Michael Regush opened the scoring for Rouen. The forward was perfectly assisted by Anthony Rech and Clément Schmitt, finishing calmly. This goal penalized a slight lack of defensive vigilance from the people of Nice.
Hit but not destabilized, the Nice Eagles attempted to respond before the break. The intentions were good, but genuine opportunities remained rare against a well-positioned Rouen defense. At the end of the first period, Rouen led 1-0, a score that did not fully reflect the engagement from the people of Nice but highlighted the opponents’ efficiency.
A complicated second period for the Nice Eagles
Returning from the locker room was difficult for the Nice Eagles. The Rouen Dragons significantly raised the level of intensity and had more control over the puck. More aggressive in duels and quicker in their passing, the people of Rouen put constant pressure in the Nice zone.
This dominance materialized at 9’21. Simon Lafrance doubled the lead for Rouen, well supported by David Yeo and Thomas Simonsen. This second goal weakened the people of Nice, who struggled to clear properly and impose their game.
Despite efforts to tighten their lines, the Nice Eagles continued to endure. At 16’33, Louis Lamperier scored the third goal for Rouen, following an effective play by Simon Lafrance, who was highly active during this period. The gap widened, seriously complicating the task for the people of Nice.
Just before the break, Rouen struck once more. At 18’17, Thomas Simonsen completed a team move, well assisted by Simon Lafrance and Felix Chakiachvili, bringing the score to 4-0. This goal scored at a critical moment symbolized the collective mastery of the Dragons in this second period.
An expected reaction from the Nice Eagles in the third period
Against the wall at the start of the third period, the Nice Eagles returned to the ice with a completely different mindset. More aggressive, more physically present, and more enterprising offensively, the people of Nice sought to close the gap and offer a reaction to their fans.
This desire was quickly rewarded. Colin Morillon found the space and scored the first Nice goal of the evening. This goal gave a bit of momentum to the Nice Eagles, who continued to push and increased the pace of their play.
Fueled by this dynamic, the people of Nice managed to score a second goal in this third period, further narrowing the gap. This period was clearly to the advantage of the Nice Eagles, who won the final act with a score of 2-1.
Despite this encouraging reaction, the gap built in the first two periods was too significant. Rouen managed the end of the match with experience, maintaining their lead until the final whistle.
Lessons to be learned for the Nice Eagles
With this 2-5 defeat, the Nice Eagles succumbed to a realistic and disciplined Rouen team. While the final score was harsh, the reaction observed during the third period was a positive point for the people of Nice.
In a demanding Ligue Magnus, the Nice Eagles will need to rely on this more convincing end to the match to address their difficulties, particularly in terms of consistency and offensive efficiency. The mindset displayed in the third period should serve as a foundation for future endeavors, to compete longer against top-tier teams.
