“We are in half, we are in half…” The supporters of the Jokers of Cergy-Pontoise shout in the last moments of the game.
Few people, however, had bet on a possible qualification of the Val-d'Oisienne team for the last four of the playoffs.
But the magic happened like last Tuesday and Wednesday on the Aren'Ice ice rink.
In a huge overheated atmosphere and an enclosure almost full to bursting (2900 people), the Jokers of Cergy-Pontoise, once again, produced an immense performance to win, a 4th time in 6 meetings, this Monday at the expense of the Dukes of Angers (3-1).
An authentic feat from the 7th in the regular season against the 2nd who was one of the favorites for the title of Champion of France.
And to think that Angers had won the 4 clashes in the regular season... But the Jokers have transformed since the start of these playoffs.
It's a solid, pugnacious and talented team that surprises with each of its outings.
Surely stressed by the stakes, the Jokers were nevertheless dominated by their opponent at the start of the match.
International goalkeeper Sébastian Ylonen makes multiple saves in front of Gaborit (8th), Serer (10th) then Valier (11th).
On its first opportunity, Cergy-Pontoise hit the mark with an opportunistic shot from the American Alex Barber (1-0, 14th).
Gueurif, twice then Melin misses the break point.
Again in the second half.
Angers camped in front of Ylonen's goal, but the goalkeeper proved impassable on several occasions before admitting defeat on a long shot from Manning (1-1, 38th).
The last period is unbreathable.
Louis Petit almost capsizes the Aren'Ice with happiness on an attempt (43rd).
The enclosure exploded with joy ten minutes later with a shot from their Latvian nugget Emils Gegeris (2-1, 53rd).
The latter scored a double in stride.
The Jokers can celebrate with their supporters this 3rd qualification in a row for the semi-finals.
They will face Grenoble in the semi-final, still the best of 7 rounds.
First clash this Friday in Isère.