Clore the year 2024 with a prestigious success against the reigning French champion, Bordeaux had dreamed of it, the Boxers did not do it. The fault lies with the Rouennais who attacked the game in diesel mode, before gradually pressing on the accelerator and ending up like a cannonball. Confetti and fireworks were therefore not out. Too bad because the stakes of this opus were clear: a Rouen success allowed the Dragons to come back to one unit of the Boxers and a defeat relegated them to 7 lengths. The visitors knew how to bide their time to kill any suspense. As for the Bordelais, they can only blame themselves as their ineffectiveness was glaring during the first two thirds and their power play was too poor.
However, everything started well. Because as much as Saturday's meeting against Grenoble was padlocked, this first act is more open than ever. There is intensity, impact, pace and chances in spades. All that's missing is the goals. However, it is not for lack of trying and putting Setanen to torture. No matter, the Norman goalkeeper multiplies the parades and thus prevents his team from being led, which no one would have contested after only ten minutes of play.
The flashback
But everything has an end, especially the sometimes miraculous rescues. And five minutes before the break, a new movement initiated by Poudrier and relayed by Valtonen on the left flank allowed Salonen to open the scoring with an unstoppable shot in a rink that was still sold out like three days earlier against the Grenoble leader (1-0, 15'04''). A deserved but very meager advantage given the undivided domination of the Boxers in this initial act with 22 shots to 7, that says it all.
From there to believing that Rouen would allow itself to be maneuvered like this throughout the match, there was a gap. So much so that Lhenry's men returned with more bellicose intentions from the restart. If the game is balanced, it remains as alert as ever. And if the Boxers manage to increase the score with a dashing Pompei (2-0, 24'03''), we say to ourselves that the slightest relaxation will be paid for in cash. The proof, on a lost puck at the blue line, Rech, free of any movement and facing a very static defense, delivers a shot flush with the right post which leaves Papillon without reaction (2-1, 28'36'') .
However, Bordeaux maintains the momentum with sharp opportunities but comes up against a final impassable rampart. While Poudrier and his team demonstrated a certain ineffectiveness on their power plays, the Dragons took advantage of their initial superiority to equalize. Simonsen took advantage of a delay to shoot Papillon in turn (2-2, 36'36''). What's better to give a team confidence?
The Dragons approach the last act with a knife between their teeth. Bordeaux is under constant pressure and is unable to contain it. Simonsen scores twice on a pass from Perret (2-3, 44'48''). The affair then seems to be off to a bad start. Even if Bordeaux benefits from a 5th power-play. The opportunity to equalize. On the contrary, on another lost puck, Perret takes charge of crucifying Papillon (2-4, 48'38''). The nightmare. Which never ends since on their second numerical superiority, the Rouennais hit the nail on the head with Dmytriw (2-5, 54'01'').
The goal of honor signed by Gegeris three minutes from the buzzer changes nothing. Not even the exchange of pins between Bruche and Lindelof in the final seconds.
Bordeaux 3 – Rouen 5
Lieu Bordeaux (Mériadeck ice rink). Spectators 3 500 Referees MM. Garbay and Debuche Third-time 1-0, 1-2, 1-3 Bordeaux Penalties: 9 minutes (0+ 2+ 7). Rouen: 15 minutes (6+ 2+ 7)
BORDEAUX Salonen (15'05'', sup), ass. Valtonen and Poudrier; Pompeii (24'03''), ass. Lemaître and Gegeris; Gegeris (57'19''), asst. Carry and Spinozzi
Guardian Butterfly (20 stops)
ROUEN Rech (28'36''), is. Vigners and Yeo; Simonsen (36'36'', sup), is. Bentsson and Hervé; Bengtsson (44'48''), is. Perret and Colomban; Perret (48'38'', inf) ; Dmytriw (54'02''), is. Nau and Nesa
Guardian Satanen (43 arrêts)
