Against Hormadi d'Anglet, the match was not easy for the Gothiques d'Amiens, affected by a gastro epidemic, but it allowed us to reveal a solidarity and combativeness in the event which allowed us to return to success.
The Gothics of Amiens found their smile and victory again this Friday evening. A 5-3 success which allows the Amiens to maintain their fourth place, but above all to break this series of three defeats in the championship. However, the evening could have been much more difficult than it was. Surprised at the start of the match by Anglet while they were in numerical superiority, the Amiens then drew on their strengths to reverse the trend and win in a match which will not have been easy.
I have to take my hat off to the players
Mario Richer, coach of the Amiens Gothiques
The day before the match, on Thursday, Zachary Lavigne, masked, was not in great shape after training. When the lineup for the Anglet reception was announced this Friday, we learned of the unavailability of Jesper Larinmaa due to illness. He was not the only sick member of the squad, but he was unable to hold his place on the ice. Several of his teammates were not at their best, but they took part in the match and some suffered, as Mario Richer revealed at a press conference: “Tonight, I have to take my hat off to the players. Some people vomited during the match. There are some who have gastro. I had to deal with players who came off the bench to puke (sic) before returning to the ice. Hats off to them, because they showed that they are warriors. Despite the energy level which was perhaps 50 or 60%, they proved that there was character and that's what we want. Even if you're sick, you put on your work boots and go. »
James Phelan, elected man of the match and who has been rather spared, for the moment, by the gastro epidemic which affects the squad, also praised the overall performance of the squad, but particularly of his most affected teammates . “I think we had 5-6 patients, this morning there were masks everywhere. The guys really worked extra hard for the guys who were doing a little less well. I think tonight it was truly a collective effort, hats off to everyone. »
Solidarity and combativeness
In pain, therefore, each goth thus fought for the others. A solidarity of a collective which was particularly translated and characterized in the third third, when it began to pull on the organizations and it was necessary to maintain this advantage of two goals to return to success. A double penalty, inflicted on Justin Bergeron for a high stick (2 x 2 minutes) and a delay of game, provoked the wrath of the Coliseum. But it also awakened the warrior soul of these Gothics, like Čepon, author of a heroic rescue in front of the cage of his goalkeeper Clément Fouquerel. “Honestly, when you kill a two-man penalty and see the arena rise, it's really a turning point in the meeting and hats off to all the power play guys”insisted James Phelan. The special teams worked rather well this evening, even if there was this early goal at the start of the match, but in this context, Mario Richer underlined the fighting spirit of his men who knew how to sacrifice themselves for the team. A good omen before the new long trip of the Gothics of Amiens on Tuesday December 3 against… Anglet.
César Willot
Photo credit: Kevin Devigne – Gazettesports.fr
