Ice Hockey. Complicated but victorious beginnings for the Rouen Dragons
By Alexandre Canivet
Published on
They would have preferred an easier recovery, but nothing will have been easy for the Rouen Dragons this Friday, September 9, 2022 for the resumption of Magnus League Ice Synergy.
Opposed to the Nice Eagles in their den of Lacroix IslandThe Rouennais finally won 4-2 against eye-catching Nice. Handicapped by the absences of Chakiachvili and Nesa, then during the match by the injuries of Mallet and Elorinne, Fabrice Lhenry’s players had to fight during the three periods to win.
Good start to the game
However, the Dragons offered a good start to the match with rhythm and intensity against the Eagles who protected their goalkeeper, Weninger, who kept them in the game.
The storm passed, the visitors began to show themselves on the goal of Pintaric, always in front of the Rouen net this season. A first vulnerable to the advantage of the players from the Côte d’Azur, would see them open the scoring on a magnificent shot from Mickevics in the top corner of helpless Pintaric (0-1.14’45).
The Rouennais, upset, returned to the ice in the second third with more desire. In turn in superiority, it took less than a minute for the duo of the Belle Province, Beauchemin-Mallet to find the fault and equalize by the second named (1-1, 21’22).
The Rouennais did not relax their grip and went ahead on a superb individual action from Tessier shortly before halfway through the match (2-1, 27’29). The hardest part seemed done for the Normans, but it was without counting on the opportunistic Eagles who came back to score through their captain Belisle just before returning to the locker room (2-2, 38’16).
Effective numerical superiorities
Everything had to be redone for the Rouennais who could not get rid of their evening opponents. They were once again going to make the difference thanks to their numerical superiority power game, magnificently exploited by a three-way game concluded by Maïa (3-2, 46’44). This time, the Dragons were no longer going to be caught and took shelter in the last seconds, with a goal in an empty cage by Tomasino which concluded this evening of reunion with their public (4-2, 59’13 ).
The Rouennais therefore start this season in the best way with a victory in their ice rink and move on Friday September 16, 2022 to the Ducs d’Angers who had eliminated them in the semi-finals of the playoffs last season and who are, this year again , among the favorites for the final title.
Reaction Fabrice Henry, Rouen coach: “We expected that against a Nice team which has strengthened its position. We knew they were good in blocking and transition so we had to be careful. There are periods when we slowed down and where we respected the playing areas less and I liked it less, especially at the end of the second third. Afterwards for a first match there was intensity and we didn’t give much in defense. We also managed to create a lot of chances, but there was a lack of opportunity and finishing. After the power-play worked well tonight so it’s positive. It’s the start of the season, we’re going to make further progress.”
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