A confirmation. That of a club that never stops growing. Two years after their first steps in the Magnus League and a semi-final of the playoffs last year (beaten 4-1 by champion Grenoble), the Cergy-Pontoise Jokers begin their second playoff campaign this Tuesday evening by receiving Gap at Aren’Ice for the first match (best of seven sets) of the quarter-finals. Fourth in the standings (out of 12 teams) in the long regular season (44 games), the Val-d’Oisian side equaled their best performance.
A success after a hectic off-season for the Val-d’Oisienne squad renewed to nearly 70%. Despite a difficult period at the start of winter (10 defeats in 12 games), the Jokers finished the regular phase in cannonball with 11 successes gleaned in the last 14 games. What to see these final phases with ambition. “The playoffs are the apotheosis of a season, it’s the moment we are waiting for the most, confides defender Raphaël Faure, who arrived this season at Cergy-Pontoise after 6 years spent at… Gap. We are super excited to start the playoffs. We struggled for 44 games to place ourselves well and benefit from a more affordable round than if we had finished 6th, 7th or 8th. There are 3 big favourites: Grenoble, Rouen and Angers (who finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the regular phase). Our objective is to pass the obstacle of the quarter-finals and then we will see. We have the advantage of the ice we will try to keep it. »
3000 people at the ice rink
During the 4 confrontations of the season, Cergy won three and Gap only one. A sign ? “We arrive with confidence and it’s better,” adds Faure. The Jokers will still be handicapped by the absence of their goalkeeper Sébastien Ylönen (ankle) and their Canadian captain Patrick Coulombe – passed through the NHL box in Vancouver – still recovering following his jaw operation after a puck received at the face during a league game on December 23. “I don’t feel sorry for myself. I fight with the players I have, says coach Jonathan Paredes. Those who replace them are capable of doing great things. »
Twelve months after this lost playoff semi-final against Grenoble, can Cergy find the semi-finals and do better against the reigning French champion? The Jokers have the seventh budget of the Magnus League with an amount of 1.7 million euros. That of Grenoble amounts to 5 million. “We want to thwart the forecasts, there have been surprises in the past, announces Jonathan Paredes. We have to grow a little more, match after match. Performing well every night. I do not project myself beyond this first match tomorrow evening (Tuesday). »
“As an athlete, the objective is to win titles or a cup, insists Raphaël Faure. Our goal is to pass the first round. If we do the job, we will probably face Grenoble. Everything is possible in sport. “Last Friday, the Val-d’Oisian team was able to take advantage of a full ice rink (3,000 spectators) to face Bordeaux in the last match of the regular season. A significant popular momentum at the time of starting these final phases. “It thrills us to see a full rink and supporters behind us. This gives additional strength,” concludes Raphaël Faure.