The two teams will now be called upon to meet frequently. They have already faced each other at the start of summer preparation, in these same places, with in the end a narrow victory for the Aigles Bisontins in the last minutes (2-3). In the locals’ defense, it should be noted that it was their first match, and what’s more without a notable part of the squad ultimately selected: a mixture of former wolves, having mainly experienced Division 3, young shoots aged between 18 and 22 years old and initially trained at the club, and goodwill who joined this troop. The group only retained Anatoli Sizov, Renaud Studer and Bastien N’Guiamba from last season in Division 2.
This troop started its official season well by winning twice, when the Francs-Comtois experienced a victory and a defeat. More than the score, it was interesting to know the appearance of this meeting, Colmar in particular having demonstrated until then a prolific attack (16 goals in two matches) and an unexpected start to the journey for a club which is starting again adventure and the unknown.
Suffice to say that when Clément Braga-Briquez deceives Sizov twice, late in the face of the rebound he has just left on an initial momentum from Guillaume Henry (0-1 at 0’36”), the Colmar stands experience a serious cold snap. Colmar, however, is already experiencing a difficulty which he will inherit throughout the match: god, this puck is difficult to keep away from the local slot! Tensed by this rapid annoyance, the Titans found it difficult to find themselves at the front and at the back. Passes like restarts and clearances are poorly adjusted, it doesn’t take much for Besançon to harass the Alsatians in their zone. However, the Eagles experienced their first cold sweat when Renaud Studer missed the last move of a comeback from his trio (6’01”).
Jonathan Boehrer delays in front of Philippe Achard before tucking the puck under his bar (1-1 at 9’06”). Things are going better for the Haut-Rhinois, however still quite upset by a shot which ricochets off the helmet of Sizov (10’16”), then when the same Estonian intervenes with his stick against Filip Zaujec (10’58 ”). Colmar struggles much more to find an opportunity against Achard’s cage.
It must be believed that Genia Kouznetsov’s speech during the first break must have provided some solutions. Romain Piazzon, off-centered impeccably by Boehrer, doubles the score from close range in front of Achard (2-1 at 20’49”). Joan Koenig found the visiting post straight away (21’57”). Colmar finally seems to have found a little more realism, as Léo Studer proves on a nice advance to the left of Achard, before launching into the top corner (3-1 at 24’16”). The Titans continue the pressure via a double try from N’Guiamba (26’20”), then with a double superiority, however sterile. Alexandre Karcher volleys on Achard (31’25”), who then intervenes with his mitt against Léo Studer (32’20”).
Colmar presses, certainly, but begins to exhaust itself when Besançon gives up before finishing the third in a more urgent manner. The storm seems to change sides, on this slalom from Simon Boichut (33’40”) then these water hammer from Henry. It is time for the third to end because the Bisontins resume their high-ranking harassment, sometimes with the help of physicality. No matter, Colmar starts to finish his clearances badly again and on a manly seat in front of Sizov, the Eagles return to the score when the big Estonian finds himself out of position (3-2 at 39’43”).
The last third started again in a tense manner, particularly among the locals who fell back into their initial failings: poor restarts and clearances in their own zone, to the great dismay of Kouznetsov who we will have heard complaining a lot during these last minutes on this subject. Condemned to press to pick up the score, Besançon continues to scratch, hampering its opponent high with its two main lines, much better placed on the ice to be the first on each puck. Sizov will therefore experience several cold sweats, whether against Henry (45’22”), or when he lies down during this umpteenth burn (49’21”).
Boehrer will, however, have a good opportunity during a pivotal shot, captured by Achard (50’43”), before Rayen Strayer goes on a turbo break to steal the puck initially controlled by Henry but the New Zealander misses his last gesture facing the opposing goalkeeper (53’24”). The end of the match has become oppressive, the Titans are struggling to sustainably contain the Doubien pressing work, which calls on Sizov who for the moment saves his cage with each try, like on this raid by Henry (59’10”). The Bisontin goalkeeper may go out to create a surplus, nothing will do, even on this final try from close to the same Henry (59’59”).
Even if Colmar inherits three new welcome points for morale, we must not forget from this match the work of undermining the Aigles Bisontins, in particular the two main attacking duos, capable of quickly projecting themselves forward and bother their opponents with significant work of scraping pucks in their offensive camp. The Eagles didn’t give up much and frequently won their duels in all corners of the ice, only facing their defeat 15 minutes away in their defensive zone. Their hockey, unspectacular but extremely annoying, should allow them to aim for the play-offs, provided they have a little more realism in the face of the opposing goal.
Colmar are therefore undefeated for three successive championship matches, this is a performance that they should not have experienced since their first season in Division 2, if not even further back in their history. Make no mistake, serious things have obviously started this evening for the Titans. Kouznetsov complained enough during the meeting so that during their next training sessions, his men will work even more diligently on the precision of their passes, their restarts and especially their clearances, but also the cleaning around their goalkeeper’s cage. Their presence in the first half of the ranking will depend a lot on respect for these defensive prerogatives, but also on a more proven presence in front of the opposing goal.
This victory is therefore a warning for them to quickly take seriously, as the next duels against the Strasbourg and Mulhouse rivals loom.
Colmar – Besançon 3-2 (1-1, 2-1, 0-0)
Saturday October 19, 2024 at 8 p.m. at the Colmar ice rink. 370 spectators.
Referees: MM. Christophe Moncozet and Nicolas Bergeron
Penalties: Colmar 6′ (0′, 0′, 6′); Besançon 8′ (4′, 4′, 0′)
Shots: Colmar 36 (11, 17, 8); Besançon 35 (9, 13, 13)
Evolution of the score:
0-1 at 00’36”: C. Braga-Briquez assisted by Henry
1-1 at 09’06”: Boehrer assisted by R. Studer and N’Guiamba
2-1 at 20’49”: Piazzon assisted by Boehrer and R. Studer
3-1 at 24’16”: L. Studer assisted by Parolo
3-2 at 39’43”: Horizral assisted by Popin and Bais
Colmar
Attackers:
Renaud Studer (A) – Bastien N’Guiamba – Jonathan Boehrer
Joan Koenig – Antoine Dauthier – Paul Fuchs [puis Strayer à 20’]
Alexandre Karcher or Léo Studer – Victor Patois – Rayen Strayer [puis Fuchs à 20’]
Defenders:
Eloi Lenner – Romain Piazzon
Lucas Maurer (C) – Édouard Alves
Alexis Parolo – Noah Bean
Guardian :
Anatoli Sizov
Substitute : Enak Sturm (G)
Besançon
Attackers:
Guillaume Henry – Clément Braga-Briquez (A) – Filip Zaujec
Hugo Robert – Simon Boichut – Hippolyte Popin
Mario Horizral – Louis Gailly – Mathis Braga-Briquez
Defenders:
Marek Bais (C) – Davy Rachex
Alexy Chelossi – Dany Parra
Theo Laude – Baptiste Jeanbourquin
Guardian :
Philippe Achard
Substitutes: Lucas Berger (L), Aloïs Zimmermann, Jules Gailly.
