the essential
The Blagnaco-Toulousains went all the way to seek a last victory of the year against Roanne (3-3, 1-0 on the tabs), guided by their goalkeeper, Xavier Bolduc, author of a major performance .
Toulouse-Blagnac 3 – Roanne 3 / 1-0 t.a.b.
(2-0,1-2,0-1, 1-0 tab); Referees: Mr. Martin assisted by Mr. Pragout and Mr. Barthe; 1300 spectators.
For Toulouse-Blagnac: 10 minute penalty.
Goals at 1'33 Grondahl (Sudor, Ménard), 12'39 Sudor (Ménard), 20'48 Shankar (Sudor, Grondahl).
For Roanne: 12 minute penalty.
Goals at 35'38 Anosau (Touveron, Puravet), 37'42 Ouimet, 58'49 Haaser (Anosau, Lisov).
“Xavier!” Xavier”, the audience at the Jacques-Raynaud ice rink could no longer stop chanting the first name of the hero of the evening. The TBHC goalkeeper, Xavier Bolduc, produced an anthology match against Roanne. One of those that makes you say: “No great team without a great goalkeeper”. Certainly, the Canadian conceded three goals, but it was at the expense of countless saves, not to mention that he stopped all the attempts in the shootout series.
The Quebecer with the face of an angel transformed into an impassable monster in front of his cage, offering a second success in a row to the protégés of coach Eddy Martin. Moreover, the exchange of glances between the two men was not misleading when they finally returned to the locker room. “My performance is one thing, it’s cool, but the most important thing is the team’s victory,” humbly summed up the star player of the match. “With this success we are back at the top of the rankings and that is what really counts,” calculates the goalkeeper of the Bélougas, now runners-up to Montpellier.
Ups and downs
2 points taken (Roanne leaves with a unit) which still leaves a little bitterness as the Bélougas could have avoided this incredible scenario. Leading 3-0 from the first seconds of the second third, the players let their guard down for a while and the Foxes took the opportunity to put their plan into action. Bad gestures and the establishment of a false rhythm worked in their favor.
So much so that the equalizer at the end of the game was more than deserved without the presence of Bolduc as a last defense. Building confidence with each dangerous action, the North American finished his recital by stopping 5 shots on goal while Pierre Bye scored the winning one.
“In a season there are always ups and downs, we relaunched against Anglet without shining so there, we wanted to confirm and it's done”, smiles Xavier Bolduc whose performance recalled those that Filip could achieve Kubis, his illustrious predecessor. Time for some well-deserved rest for the Bélougas who will now resume on Saturday January 4 when Vaujany comes.
