A second blow to the head. The day after a very heavy defeat at the Dragons of Rouen (7-2), the Jokers of Cergy-Pontoise failed to react and lost once again largely in Normandy (5-2) during the 2nd Magnus League playoff semi-final match. After their immense feat (4 successes to 2) in the quarter-final against Angers, 2nd in the regular season, the Val-d’Oisiens are unable to hinder the Rouen ogre, reigning French champion and first of the season regular.
Led 2-0, Miika Elomo’s men now have their backs against the wall and will have to react at the Aren’Ice in Cergy-Pontoise on Tuesday and next Wednesday during matches 3 and 4 or risk seeing the doors of a historic final close. close permanently.
This Saturday evening, the Jokers quickly gave up against a solid and efficient Rouen team which already had a three-goal lead at the end of the first third. After a 4th Norman goal from Hascak, the Val-d’Oisiens finally opened their account following a numerical superiority (powerplay) well negotiated by their Latvian nugget Emils Gegeris (4-1, 31st). Rouen maintains its lead during the last third (5-2) to offer itself a second success and therefore find itself two victories from qualifying for the final.
“It’s tough, we lacked success in the first half before leveling up in the last half,” said manager Christophe Cuzin. The injuries to Vincent Melin (concussion) and Théo Gueurif (adductors) handicapped us. But we’re not going to give up. With the atmosphere our supporters create at home, it’s a real plus. The objective will be to return to two rounds everywhere on Wednesday evening. »
The Jokers will absolutely have to maintain their invincibility at the Aren’Ice since the start of the playoff (3 wins) to maintain hope. Tuesday evening’s match will be sold out (3,000 seats) and there are only 200 seats left for Wednesday’s match.
