“Lyon vs HC Dijon: A Competitive Ice Hockey Match with Emotions and Drama”

Lyon – HC Dijon

5-3

Sylvain Roy’s moist eyes were worth all the talk. Facing La Roche-sur-Yon or Lyon, Dijon has never been upgraded, but on arrival, the Côte-d’Oriens will not be able to play their chance to go to D2 until the end. “In the heat, there is a lot of disappointment, the guys have worked well this season, we dominate the first third, but they score on power play and on the counter-attack”, unfolds the technician with emotion.

Frustrated with their inaugural defeat, HC Dijon did not let it show, and actually showed themselves to be dominant in the first ten minutes, especially during a superiority where they ultimately did not find the fault.

The locals are gradually finding their bearings, Smirnov makes Krofta’s net quiver, before a perfectly fluid puck circulation opens up space for Kubovcik to slide the puck close to the post (2-0, 15’44) . Shortly after, Jonathan Estienne has the opportunity to knock out but the Czech goalkeeper of HC Dijon maintains the suspense.

Loïc Chabert then took advantage of a superiority to turn on the red light from afar (2-1, 18’38). Even stronger, 4 against 5 on the ice, the Dijonnais managed a perfect counter. Chabert steals the puk from his vis-à-vis and manages a one-two with small onions with Lacroix to equalize at the best moment (2-2, 19’47). “The Dukes this year, it was this state of mind of never giving up”, appreciates Sylvain Roy.

However, Martin Kuhla quickly regained control of the regulars at the Charlemagne ice rink (3-2, 24’22).

A punishment that hurts

At 46, the Slovak still has a fiery skate, he was the former Slovan Bratislava, international in the early 2000s.

Dijon did not give up, and the most dangerous situations were shots from Bais or Bourgin at the end of the second third on Clément Ginier’s cage.

Neuwirth still has two superiority opportunities at the start of the last third, but the Rhodaniens are starting to take the physical advantage. The Russian Smirnov, landed at the start of the year because he was playing in Ukraine where the situation was inevitably tense, then gave the Lyonnais a margin in power play (4-2, 42’20). “There are a few refereeing decisions that tilt the match a little, and in particular this penalty which is followed by the 4-2 goal”, confides the annoyed technician from Dijon, while Loïc Chabert, suffering in his flesh from a load too muscular, walks through the corridor with clenched teeth with the doctor.

The first line Estienne-Kubovcik-Kuhla drives the point home shortly after (5-2, 53’49). But like this final four, Dijon clings. The HCD is rewarded with a goal from Maxime Jury (5-3, 55’44) which the 50 or so Dijon supporters do not fail to greet. Everyone will have believed in it until the end. In vain.

In Lyon (Charlemagne ice rink). – Lyon b. HC Dijon 5-3 (2-2, 1-0, 2-1). Spectators: 500. Lyon: Smirnov 12’54 (ass. Portier), Kubovcik 15’44 (ass. J. Estienne), Kulha 24’22 (ass. J. Estienne, Kubovcik), Smirnov 42’20 (ass. Kubovcik , Kuhla), Kubovcik 53’49 (ass. J. Estienne, Kuhla). HC Dijon: Chabert 18’38 (ass. Fahas, Lacroix), Chabert 19’47 (ass. Lacroix), Ma. Jury 55’44 (ass. Bais).