Le plat est servi !
Rouen completes a perfect weekend crashing Herning and bring back to Seine the silver plate of Continental Cup
A sold-out Ile Lacroix celebrates the second European
trophy won by Dragons in 4 years and will prepare the gala dress to host the
games from CHL from next season. If the Continental Cup won in 2012 was a real
miracle on ice, beating the super favourite Donbass Donetsk in the last minutes
of last games, this season Rouen confirms the initial favouritism, even if the
campaign in the Superfinals wasn’t a bed of roses and the Dragons toils for the
silver plate. Credit to all three teams present in the finals, one of most
hard-fought. Also in the last game Herning wasn’t on the ice as sparring
partner, and fight until the end to rain on French parade. Pushed by the fans,
Dragons start sieging the Danish cage, with a great chance for Marc Andre
Thinel after one minute: his surefire shot smashes on the pads of Daniel
Nielsen. It’s a warning for Herning: in one minute Rouen scores twice: with
Damien Raux deflecting a pass from Koudys and Jason Krog on Mark Matheson pass.
Herning tries to give Sabourin some work but the Danish forwards are inaccurate
and well controlled by the French defense. Danish team begins better then
opponents also the central period until the first power play, once again fatal:
gradually Rouen comes closer Nielsen cage, until the last bite, with Thinel,
infallible from that position. One minute later Rouen has also a goal
disallowed, scored by Yorick Treille with the skate. Thinel wastes the chance
for fourth goal at 29 shooting on Nielsen after a brilliant pass from Lamperier.
Herning has the best chance in the last minute of period, when Frank shots on
Sabourin a good pass. The last 20 minutes are a long wait for the final
celebration, already begun on stands. With 5 minute to play Loic Lamperier
receives a major penalty for checking to the head, combined with another
penalty allow Herning to pull the goalie and plays six versus three. A
controversial goal scored with the cage moved was disallowed causing the
protest of Herning bench and the removal of coach Simioni. Bravely and for the
ecstasy of fans Rouen survives to the penalties and finds the empty net goal
with captain and MVP Patrick Coulombe for the deserved triumph
Captain Patrick Coulombe scored the fourth empty-net goal
Game is over!
MVP: Daniel Nielsen – Patrick Coulombe
Patrick Coulombe raises the silver plate
Tournament Best Players
Best Goaltender: Simon Nielsen (Herning)
Best Defender:
Patrick Coulombe (Rouen)
Best Forward: Marc-Andrè Thinel