Saturday evening, against the Nice reserve, the Krokos cracked in the second half and conceded their fourth defeat – in seven matches – of the season.
Nîmes Hockey Club put up a great battle on Saturday December 21, even if the score may seem heavy. Facing the Nice reserve, the Krokos faltered in the second third, conceding a crippling 6-1. They conceded their fourth defeat of the season (7 matches played), the second at home in four matches.
Nîmes is in 24th position (out of 30) with 7 points and is five lengths behind 16th place, qualifying for the final phase.
Trailing 2-0, the Krokos equalize
With two goals conceded quite quickly (1st and 15th), the Krokos thought they would submit to the law of the Aiglons. But Carroll Stearns (18th) and Jordan Agliardi (19th) responded just before the end of the first third, allowing Nîmes to equalize (2-2).
The technical sheet
Nîmes – Nice II: 4-9.
Municipal ice rink.
1er tiers-temps, 2-2 ; 2e TT, 1-6 ; 3e TT, 1-1.
Judges: MM. Hurth and Salvador.
Goals for Nîmes: Stearns (17'59'', assistance Sabourin ; 39'31'', Malard, Agliardi), Agliardi (18'44'' ; 44'26'', Constantineau, Stearns).
Goals for Nice II: Delmas (1re, assistance Shalamov, Perry; 21e, Heide-Ottosen; 31e, Shalamov, Espinasse; 44e, Perry, Shalamov), Mahaut (15e), Shalamov (22e), Julie Da Costa (31e, Basile-Linsolas), Heide -Ottosen (32e), Basile-Linsolas (37e).
Cold picked in the second third
In the second third, the Nîmes were caught cold by the Aiglons (21st and 22nd). The Krokos failed to close ranks. Their defense found its head underwater and conceded four additional goals, including three in less than two minutes (31st, 31st, 32nd, 37th). 3-8 attacking the last third, Nice had widened the gap.
Lack of success
“We wanted to tighten the game, be aggressive on the carrier, which worked in the first third. But it also created gaps and we found ourselves a little behind”analyzes Cédric Boucamus, the Krokos coach.
Offensively, Nîmes had chances but lacked success. “We tried, we asked the goalkeeper, there were tense moments… We could have come back but we weren’t lucky”continues Cédric Boucamus. Stearns still found the fault, well assisted by Malard and Agliardi but the damage was done (3-8, 40th).
A burst of insufficient pride
In the third period, Niçois Delmas increased his tally to 4 goals (44th), finishing top scorer, and Agliardi softened the score (4-9, 45th).
“We didn't play in the second halfregrets Kroko defender Quentin Lardière. We had a burst of pride in the third period but we made mistakes.”
