Gap 2 – Briançon 1
Two days after having respectively won in Nice (2-1 ap) and against Anglet (6-1), Gap and Briançon met again this Sunday, for the last match of the year at the Alp' Arena. The opportunity for Raptors to distance themselves from the Red Devils, for their part eager to get back up to par with their neighbors in the standings.
The reason why, undoubtedly, this derby had difficulty taking off technically, but not physically, the two teams being well in their match at this level. As for the scoring opportunities, which were quite rare, they were more in favor of the visitors during the first third, which ended 0-0. More impactful after the break, Gap was more dangerous. And opened the scoring thanks to Coulaud mid-match. Just before the break, Bouvet converted a caviar from Thillet into superiority to double the lead. But Briançon reduced the gap as soon as they returned to the ice, with Stromgren in charge. But back to the score, there will never be for the Red Devils, despite a last-ditch effort.
Thanks to this success, the 3e behind in the championship, Gap pushes Briançon back to 6 points in the general classification. And can still believe in the play-offs.
Reaction
Sébastien Rohat (Gap coach): “We are very happy with the result. In the content of the match, he has things to settle. I didn't like our first third, which we didn't play in the right way, unlike Briançon who could have led 2-0. Then we put things back together in the second third, we regained the momentum. It would be good for all our trios to do the same thing as our third, because he is the one who has worked the best for two, three matches. I also liked the last minutes of the 5 guys who sacrificed themselves. That's what's winning us points at the moment. »
Pierre Bergeron (Briançon coach): “I think there was a refereeing error on the first goal, which resulted in a clearance being refused. This happens too often. We often pay the price. We were on top in the first third, but their goalkeeper perhaps produced his best performance. We played on Tuesday, we had two trips in three matches, we played with three lines. I'm proud of my players because they were at war, we never gave much, it's a positive week all the same. And we still have a lot of hockey to play. »
Grenoble 3 – Anglet 2 (ap)
Sitting on a series of thirteen consecutive victories in the championship, without omitting qualifications in the Continental Cup and the Coupe de France, the Brûleurs de loups certainly thought that the arrival of Anglet (10e) would not be the most difficult challenge they would face. Error, because the Angloys, without complexes, pushed them into overtime.
Grenoble had however done things in order, with very quick goals from Sacha Treille and Matias Bachelet (2-0, 6e). But, despite a clear domination over this 1re period (15 shots on target to 5), the score no longer increased. And conversely, it was Hormadi who revived thanks to a goal against Puffer (13e).
The 2e period did not result in any change in the score, despite once again Isère domination and even a time out requested by Per Hanberg (29'01''), not necessarily satisfied with his team's performance. The Rouge et Bleu were unable to widen the gap, to take cover, and what was supposed to happen happened: Anglet put more energy to come back and equalized thanks to its attacker Deslauriers (2-2, 56e).
The Grenoblois were therefore pushed into overtime (for only the third time at home) and it took a good combination from the Treille-Hardy-Koudri trio to avoid a snub, just before Christmas. Phew! All under the eyes of Olivier Giroud, who returned from the United States for the holidays and came to watch this family hockey match.
The technical sheet
In Grenoble (Polesud ice rink), Grenoble beats Anglet 3 to 2 after (third time: 2-1, 0-0, 1-1; 1-0). Referees: Jérémy Mallais and Nicolas Crgut, assisted by Benjamin Aumeras and Gilhem Margry. 4,208 spectators (box offices closed).
Goals for Grenoble : 4'46'' S. Treille (ass. Leclerc and Andersson), 5'57'' M. Bachelet (ass. A. Dair and Hardy, sup num.); 61'26'' Koudri (ass. Hardy and S. Treille).
Goal for Anglet : 13’05’’ Puffer (ass. Kazarine et Faure) ; 55’52’’ Deslauriers (ass. Rychagov et Beaudoin).
Penalties : 4' against Grenoble (2×2'); 8' against Anglet (4×2').
Chamonix 4 – Nice 0
The Pioneers won a match of capital importance by dominating Nice and scoring four goals, without falling into the wait-and-see trap of the Azuréens. However, this is what we could have feared in view of a lethargic first third, at the end of which the two teams neutralized each other.
It was a shot from Ackerman, author of a solid performance, deflected by Convert, who finished behind the line to open the scoring. The pioneers were the most dangerous in the second half, despite Nice's opportunities, two of which ended on the Aubrun post. Jérémie Penz overflowed on the left and took his chance by sending the puck into a mouse hole for the second Chamonix goal which rewarded the offensive forcing of the locals.
The Pionniers' box play resisted two numerical inferiorities and Aubrun won with decisive saves against the Nice attackers who were trying to bring their team back into the match. Five minutes from time Jakub Izacky recovered the puck in the slot and beat Molder for a third goal, synonymous with victory. Kivinen escaped alone for the 4th goal and the Chamoniards took three very important points, allowing them to come within a small point of Cergy, beaten by Angers, before a trip which will also be very expensive on the ice of Briançon.
Excellent performances from Penz, Ackerman, in defense, while Coffy was crowned combatant of the match. Fortin collects two points and MVP of the evening is awarded to Aubrun, also rewarded with a shutout.
