BOrdeaux and Grenoble can boast of having in their ranks two of the best goalkeepers in the Magnus League. Matija Pintaric, the Slovenian goalkeeper (35 years old, 1.81 m), four times French champion with Rouen on the Grenoble side. Quentin Papillon, French international (27 years old, 1.77 m) for Bordeaux. Partners from 2017 to 2019 in Rouen, their confrontation promises a high-level duel which could be the key to the meeting this Saturday evening, in Mériadeck (6:30 p.m.).
“These are clearly two boys who can win a match,” explains Christophe Goechon, current goalkeeper coach at Cergy Pontoise and renowned in the world of French hockey. He trained the neo-Grenoblois for three seasons with the Rouen Dragons and has followed Papillon since the age of 8.
“With 10 cm more, Quentin Papillon would not play in the same championship”
The Bordelais remember it well, Pintaric had disgusted the attackers during the Boxers' defeat in the Coupe de France at the end of November (2-1). Author of 50 saves, he won his match against Papillon. This time, in a sold-out rink again, the younger of the two could well take his revenge. “They are competitors, it’s obvious that they also want to win against each other,” says the 67-year-old technician.
Very close level
Papillon can rely on a very positive start to the season in the cage of the vice champions of France while Pintaric succeeded in his transfer to Grenoble after six seasons in Normandy. Their level of performance is very close, however, Christophe Goechon puts forward some differences: “Papillon is more complete, Pintaric has a fairly atypical style. » Among their common points, size. Both are smaller than most other goalkeepers in the league but with obvious qualities. “Quentin’s only real weakness is his size,” says Goechon. With 10 cm more, he would not play in the same championship. Afterwards, he is a modern goalkeeper with great technical and physical qualities. He has a lot of speed, a lot of intensity. He is very powerful, we see it in his movements, he is always facing the puck.”
Qualities which have allowed the goalkeeper of the French team to score twice this season and to display an impressive save percentage: 93.85%. Opposite, Pintaric does even better with four shutouts but a lower percentage (92.90%). “He has an excellent reading of the game and impressive movement speed,” insists the technician. He is very lively and has a good mitt.”
Papillon could, however, quickly assert himself against his former teammate. “I think Papillon is more technically accomplished, more constructed. “Pinta” has shortcomings, particularly when it comes to work on the posts and in situations where there are screens, he says. But these are really minimal details that only experts detect.”
The match
Bordeaux (3rd/55 pts) – Grenoble (1st/75 pts) at Mériadeck (Bordeaux), this Saturday, December 28 at 6:30 p.m.
