Too strong. Much too strong. The reigning French champion Grenoble dictated his law (1-7) this Saturday evening during the 3rd match of the Magnus League playoff semi-finals against the Cergy-Pontoise Jokers. Despite a warm atmosphere in a sold-out Aren’Ice (3000 spectators), the Cergypontains never existed in this one-sided meeting. Defeated in the first two games in Isère on Tuesday (9-2) and Wednesday (4-2), the Val-d’Oisiens are now trailing 3-0 in this series in the best of 7 sets. It will take a real feat to reach the final. The two teams will meet this Sunday (5 p.m.) at the Aren’Ice for the 4th match which could therefore be the last of these semi-finals in the event of success for the Grenoble residents.
For this 3rd match, the Cergypontain coach had decided to put Sebastian Ylonen, the goalkeeper of the France team injured in his ankle since January 10, back in the goal at kick-off. Antoine Gilbert, who had acted brilliantly, found his place on the bench. Borrowed, the Val-d’Oisiens were quickly led by efficient Grenoblois who scored three times in the first period by Dair (5th) then Fleury (10th) and Munoz (18th).
The difference is made. The Jokers will never return to the encounter. “We didn’t exist during the first match in Grenoble (9-2) but tonight we put our hearts into it. The ice rink was full, there was a nice atmosphere… It sucks!, creaks the Cergypontain Aurélien Doré. Grenoble is not invincible and we are still alive. Tomorrow (Sunday), we will put all the elements to win. We must not let go. In the other semi-final, Rouen won at Angers (1-5) and regained the lead in the series.
