Ice hockey: in Division 3, Nîmes weighed down by its second period against Nice

Clément Gras et les Krokos n’ont pas su concrétiser leurs occasions. Midi Libre – Alejandro Cortes Alban

Samedi soir, face à la réserve de Nice, les Krokos ont craqué dans le deuxième tiers-temps et concédé leur quatrième défaite – en sept rencontres – de la saison.

Nîmes Hockey Club put up a great fight on Saturday, December 21, even if the score may seem heavy. Against the Nice reserve, the Krokos faltered in the second period, conceding a crippling 6-1. They conceded their fourth defeat of the season (7 matches played), the second at home in four games.

Nîmes is in 24th position (out of 30) with 7 points and is five points behind 16th place, qualifying for the final phase.

Down 2-0, the Krokos equalize

With two goals conceded fairly quickly (1st and 15th), the Krokos thought they would succumb to the law of the Aiglons. But Carroll Stearns (18th) and Jordan Agliardi (19th) responded just before the end of the first period, allowing Nîmes to equalize (2-2).

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The technical sheet

Nîmes – Nice II : 4-9.
Municipal ice rink.
1st half, 2-2; 2nd TT, 1-6; 3rd TT, 1-1.
Referees: Messrs. Hurth and Salvador.
Goals for Nîmes : Stearns (17’59’’, assist Sabourin ; 39&rsquo ;31’’, Malard, Agliardi), Agliardi (18’44’’ ; 44’26’’, Constantineau, Stearns).
Goals for Nice II: Delmas (1st, assist Shalamov, Perry; 21st, Heide-Ottosen; 31st, Shalamov, Espinasse; 44th, Perry, Shalamov), Mahaut (15th), Shalamov (22nd), Julie Da Costa ( 31st, Basile-Linsolas), Heide-Ottosen (32nd), Basile-Linsolas (37th).

Caught cold in the second third-time

In the second period, the Nîmes team was caught cold by the Aiglons (21st and 22nd). The Krokos were unable to close ranks. Their defense found itself with its head under water and conceded four additional goals, three of which came in less than two minutes (31st, 31st, 32nd, 37th). 3-8 in the attack of the last third, Nice had widened the gap.

Lack of success

“We wanted to tighten up the game, be aggressive on the ball carrier, which worked in the first third. But it also created gaps and we found ourselves a little behind”, analyzes Cédric Boucamus, the Krokos coach.

Offensively, Nîmes had chances but lacked success. “We tried, we called on the goalkeeper, there were tense moments… We could have come back but we weren't lucky”, continues Cédric Boucamus. Stearns still found the fault, well assisted by Malard and Agliardi but the damage was done (3-8, 40th).

A burst of pride insufficient

In the third period, Niçois Delmas increased his tally to 4 goals (44th), finishing top scorer, and Agliardi softened the score (4-9, 45th).

“We didn't play during the second period, regrets Kroko defender Quentin Lardière. We had a burst of pride in the third period but we committed mistakes.”