 |
| photo: Jean-Christophe Salom |
|
As yesterday the match looks hot and each Grenoble incursion in the offensive zone results in a shot on the goalkeeper which leads to the first foul from Angevin but the power play does nothing. The Dukes let the storm pass and Gaborit then Torquato test Stepanek. Valier misses his exit from the zone and serves Bouvet who did not ask for time to open the scoring [0-1 / 08’12’’]. A new Grenoble numerical superiority does not really manage to settle, only Hardy once again can shoot from the blue without worries for Cowley. As the Angevin defense climbs, Flavian Dair recovers the puck and serves Valier for the equalizer [1-1 / 12’59’’]. The penalties follow one another against Ducs, Grenoble even has 1’16” in double superiority but the Angevin trio manages to cut off the passes and in any case Cowley watches as the last bastion. At 36” from the siren the locals are penalized for the first time but the defense and the goalkeeper ensure.
A very aggressive first third that Angers will have spent on the penalty bench for half the time. Grenoble, however disciplined, could not seize its chance to take the advantage.
 |
| photo: Jean-Christophe Salom |
|
180° turn for this second third where the physical impact disappears to give way to speed and technique. Angers besieged Stepanek’s cage and left only counters to his hosts who failed on Cowley. Gaborit sneaks between 2 Grenoble players to adjust Stepanek… in the mitt. Around the halfway point Grenoble, then Angers and again Grenoble have the possibility of worsening the score in numerical superiority but the goalkeepers do the job. The special teams definitely can’t do it tonight. The game goes from one side to the other but clear chances are rare, especially on the Grenoble side.
A second period less intense than the first but largely dominated by Angers both in the number of shots (12-5) and in possession of the puck.
 |
| photo: Jean-Christophe Salom |
|
As in the second period, the Dukes pressed Grenoble very high and prevented them from developing their game. Manavian from the blue saw his slap deflected by Stepanek. A defensive awkwardness allows Giroux to recover the puck to serve Halley without mercy for the goalkeeper [1-2 / 42’23’’]. The visitors drive the point home by Halley alone who plays the defense and deceives Stepanek again [1-3 / 45’55’’]. Les Brûleurs De Loups can’t do it and are walked on by very mobile Angevins, high on the forecheck and above all very fast on the puck. Only Stepanek still seems in the game with his rescues on Giroux or Manavian. Against all expectations, Tuppurainen, served by Champagne, adjusts Cowley who can not do anything … but the goal is disallowed for an obstruction by Aurelien Dair. Grenoble’s setbacks continue even if they manage to kill the penalty. The exit of the goalkeeper 2 minutes from the siren will not change anything, the attacks lack conviction and responsibility.
Angers surprised everyone this evening with their physical freshness and the intensity that the players were able to put into winning the puck. A paid tactic since they leave with the point of victory. Despite good discipline (only 3 penalties) Grenoble was unable to impose its game like the day before or even take the advantage through its transparent special teams during the numerous numerical superiorities (7).
Time for the trip to the IcePark for a double confrontation this weekend with the minimum objective for Grenoble to bring back a point. Sunday’s match will be broadcast on the sport-en-france channel at 8:30 p.m.
 |
| photo: Jean-Christophe Salom |
|
|
