Friday of all posters in League Magnus
Grenoble (1st) – Gap (3rd): an alpine derby at the top
According to the formula: all the ingredients are there for a great hockey night in Polesud! A derby between neighbors already. The two-hour drive should not prevent Raptors supporters from making the trip. And a derby at the top. Grenoble (1st with 21 points) logically occupies a leading position that seemed to be promised. Gap (3rd with 17 points) is wanted in this top 4, which he seems able to keep from here to the play-offs.
The two teams are in confidence: with several consecutive victories, and a qualification for the next round of the Coupe de France obtained this week… The ice will decide. The Gapençais who have already brought down Rouen at the Alp’Arena (3-1) can annoy the Grenoblois who are often loaned at the start. But if the machine has met in 40 goals in 8 games, the Raptors to be plucked.
Angers (2nd) – Rouen (5th): to whom the first of the four duels?
Angers and Grenoble have already faced each other (4-1), while waiting for the first Rouen-Grenoble (November 17), it is one of the four Angers-Rouen which takes place this Friday. Crucial for establishing a hierarchy in this triumvirate which still seems above the rest this season.
Freshness could be crucial in this clash between second (18 points, one game less) and fifth (12 points, two games less). The Dragons, with their beautiful European campaign, have already played thirteen times this season against eight against the Dukes. Another data: the difficult qualification of the Normans in the Coupe de France against Neuilly on Tuesday (2-1 after tab), a Division 1 team.
Briançon (9th) – Nice (10th): already important points for the end of the season
These last two seasons, they had to play a maintenance pool. With two of the smallest budgets in Ligue Magnus, Briançon and Nice will play their maintenance again this season. While the points taken in the regular season in the head-to-head against the other teams in the relegation group are preserved: these clashes are already important.
In terms of form, the Devils are struggling to confirm their good start to the season (2 wins in 4 games) with four consecutive defeats. But achieved a good performance by eliminating the defending French D1 champion, Marseille, from the Coupe de France (4-1). Same story for Nice, who offered a demonstration on the ice of Toulon (D3): 22-1.
Chamonix (11th) – Mulhouse (12th): the Scorpions to erase their punishment
The Alsatians would have their place if they had not suffered a withdrawal of six points before the season. Last with four points (despite three victories), the Scorpions have the opportunity to leave the position of red lantern this Friday in Chamonix (11th, 5 points). Faced with the Pioneers perhaps reinvigorated by their success against Mulhouse in the Coupe de France (6-2): their only success of the season for Richard Bozon for the moment.
Cergy-Pontoise (7th) – Bordeaux (4th): the Boxers to learn their top 4
Fourth tied on points with Gap but one game less, the Boxers will be serious contenders for the top 4 at the end of the regular season. In a team from Cergy which is struggling against the big competitors in the championship, the Bordelais have a lot to do to consolidate their position.
>> Ligue Magnus results, schedule and standings
The program for this Friday
?? CHAMONIX – Mulhouse, at 8 p.m.
?? GRENOBLE – GAP, at 8:15 p.m.
➤ Angers – Rouen, at 8:30 p.m.
?? BRIANCON – Nice, at 8:30 p.m.
➤ Cergy-Pontoise – Bordeaux, at 8:30 p.m.