Cholet managed to crack the Caennais in overtime at the end of a match where the two best goalkeepers, in save percentage, struck again. At Poissompré, Épinal turned the match around to win while Valenciennes signed a fourth consecutive victory and were no longer far from leaving the red zone.
Photo credit: Dogs de Cholet
At the end of a prolific match, Meudon found its way to victory against Nantes who had three consecutive victories at home. Dominators from the first third, the Comets confirmed in the second act thanks to Pontus Eklof who scored his second and third goals of the evening. The double from Nantais Benoit Valier was not enough for the Corsairs against the Ile-de-France residents who led 5 to 2 after 40 minutes. Meudon took advantage of the last third to unfold, bringing the score to 7-2. The people of Nantes will have to raise their heads on January 4, by moving onto the ice of the HCMP.
Although trailed 2-1 by Neuilly-sur-Marne after 27 minutes of play, Épinal completely turned the match around in the first seven minutes of the final third with four goals scored. Romans Nekludovs comes back to 5-3 with 12 minutes remaining, giving the Bisons hope of getting back into this match. However, the Wildcats did not flinch and managed to achieve ten consecutive victories, consolidating their place as leader. On an individual level, it is also a success for Peter Hrehorcak, top scorer in the championship, who adds 3 points to his personal tally. At Poissompré, spectators end the year in style, while participating in the celebration thanks to the throwing of stuffed animals at the first Spinal goal.
Valenciennes confirms its momentum by signing its 4th consecutive victory (3-2). Against Villard-de-Lans, the Red Devils were able to count on Levi Glasman, author of his team's first two goals. The Bears manage to get back to level thanks to goals from Philipe Caron and Nicholas Domitrovic. But in the 50th minute, Risto Saarinen allowed the Northerners to regain the advantage. Solid in the cages, the former Rouennais Tonin Caubet, was elected MVP on the Valenciennes side and allowed his team to take revenge on the Isérois, who had won in the first leg (6-5).
The HCMP, bottom with 11 points, was not far from creating a surprise by putting in a big match against Strasbourg. The Ibex started the match in the best way with a 3-0 after 24 minutes of play, including a double from Thibaud Masson. But the Strasbourg side subsequently turned the match around by hanging up at 4-4 in the 50th minute. Lucas Herrmann also stood out by scoring a double. In the final moments, it was Zachary Bross who delivered the Black Star by scoring the 5-4 goal. Always diligent in its matches, the HCMP will have to, in 2025, find the additional element that will earn it points. Strasbourg will spend the holidays on the podium, thanks to the defeat of Caen on the ice of Cholet.
Chambéry passed Mont-Blanc by winning 5-4 after a match where the two teams fought a real battle. True to their effectiveness in powerplay, the Elephants were able to find the fault twice when they were in numerical superiority. However, the Yetis used their realism by scoring 4 goals on 27 shots. The Chambérians had more chances, but fell against a more convincing goalkeeper. Elected MVP this evening, it was Valentin Grossetete who scored in overtime and allowed his team to leave with the victory. Nicholas Cherkowski's performance should also be highlighted: he was involved in 100% of Chambéry's goals this evening (4 assists and 1 goal).
In a match between two direct competitors, Dunkirk emerged victorious against Morzine (8-3). In front from the first third, the Corsairs marked their territory with a 3-0 after nine minutes of play. The Penguins found the net in the 30th minute through Valentin Motreff, but would be conceded again three additional goals at the end of the 2nd third. Captain Clément Thomas, 4 points this evening, scored his second goal of the evening in the 46th minute, while Timon Davranche came to seal the score of this match six minutes from the end. Second best attack in the championship, the Dunkirks once again put on a show for Michel Raffoux's many spectators.
No surprises at Rïnkla Stadium. Brest lost 5-1 against Tours, who followed up with a 5th consecutive victory (5-1). The Bretons nevertheless managed to contain the attacks of the Remparts by coming back to 1-1 in the 25th minute. But the Tourangeaux moved up a gear in the final third with goals from Vince Tartari, Steven Fournier and Fabien Mallais. Stéphane Gros' players will not have to relax during the holidays because a big match awaits them from the start, on January 4. They will travel to Normandy to face Caen, which is in 4th place.
A match where the goalkeepers were in the spotlight took place in Cholet. Yet on the podium before this day, Caen saw itself dominated by the Dogs, with 50 shots from Cholet, compared to 29 on the Drakkars side. In overtime, we will have to wait 2'48 to see the nets shake for the only time of the evening. It was the Choletais Raphaël Bastille who allowed his team to exult, at the end of a match where they had to have a strong heart. This evening, Cholet goes 6th while Caen falls from the podium.
D16 results
Saturday December 21
- Nantes 2-7 Meudon (1-2 ; 1-3 ; 0-2)
- Epinal 5-3 Neuilly-sur-Marne (1-0; 0-1; 4-1)
- Valenciennes 3-2 Villard-de-Lans (1-0; 1-1; 1-1)
- Strasbourg 5-4 HCMP (0-2 ; 2-1 ; 3-1)
- Mont-Blanc 4-5 prl Chambery (1-1 ; 3-3 ; 0-0 ; 0-1)
- Dunkirk 8-3 Morzine-Avoriaz (3-0; 3-1; 2-2)
- Brest 1-5 Tours (0-1 ; 1-1 ; 0-3)
- Cholet 1-0 Caen (0-0 ; 0-0 ; 0-0 ; 1-0)
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