The cup is back on familiar territory. For the sixth time in the last ten years, the Rouen Dragons celebrate winning the French Ligue Magnus championship
when they beat Grenoble Bruleurs de Loups in four straight games. Nicolas Deschamps scored the championship-winning goal in overtime.

The Canadian forward was found all alone in the slot during a power play and did not hesitate when letting go of a slapshot that whistled behind a bewildered Lukas Horak in the Grenoble net to end the 2017/18 Ligue Magnus season.

Nothing but bittersweet tears were left for Grenoble which, despite holding a 3-1 and 4-2 lead coming into the final period, was not able to withstand the pressure and with that, the prospect of a game five on home ice.

This year's victory means Rouen has now hoisted the French league title 15 times. Only for the second time since the league installed a best-of-seven final series, it was concluded in the minimum of four games. In 2016 Rouen was also beneficiary of the statistical fact, sweeping Angers les Ducs.

"This victory rewards an excellent group," Rouen coach Fabice Lhenry told L'Equipe TV afterwards.

"The players showed their tremendous spirit today, overcoming a two-goal deficit and win it in the end. I never thought it would be possible to beat this strong Grenoble team in four straight games," he added.

Perspective is always important in the wake of a season-ending loss, especially
one after a couple of overtime losses, and Grenoble coach Ego Terglav had plenty to offer on his team's performance following the final game.

"It is too bad to lose like that on a somewhat doubtful decision," Terglav commented on the game winning goal. "I'm proud of my team, we gave everything. We can regret the last two games. We were there, we were leading, we do not miss much but Rouen had more confidence, they took maximum advantage of their moments when they had the chance," he said while admitting defeat and realizing
taking unnecessary penalties cost his team dearly.

Game four perfectly summed up the difference between Rouen and Grenoble. Staying out of the box was difficult for Grenoble. The Dragons converted nearly
one third of their power-play opportunities, compared to just one out of five for Grenoble. In addition to that, overtime play became a handicap for Grenoble
which only managed to win two out eight games that were tied after 60 minutes of play.

Rouen has made it to the Ligue Magnus finals three years in a row and seven years in the last ten years. It is therefore safe to claim that the team with the third-most league titles in French history came in loaded with playoff hockey experience.

Opponents Grenoble can boast a decorated history but the team has failed to continue its success in recent years. With six league titles to show for and a having won the regular season being the only team making the 100-point mark, Grenoble was keen to restore glory. It was their first playoff finals spot since 2012, when they lost to Rouen in six games.

The Dragons' path the final was fairly smooth. First Rouen distanced itself from Angers in five games before overcoming a game 1 loss on home ice against Amiens, which was eventually beaten in six games.

After beating a pesky Mulhouse Scorpions team in the quarter-finals, Grenoble's
semi-final match-up against Bordeaux was a genuine roller coaster. Two 5-3 Grenoble victories were countered by no less than three overtime losses.

However, it was overtime and Grenoble was desperately looking for when Bordeaux
was up 2-0 in game 6.

A pair of goals by Joel Champagne and Kyle Hardy completed the turnaround and with that the fourth overtime of this series had to separate both teams. This time, luck was on Grenoble's side. Kyle Hardy scored his second goal of the game after 65 minutes and the series went back to Grenoble for an all-decisive game seven.

Bordeaux drew first blood for thanks to a Jonathan Lessard goal but Grenoble responded with three unanswered goals to take a commanding two goal lead. A lead that they would not give up. Both teams exchanged two goals each before Grenoble sealed the win with a pair of empty netters for a 7-3 result and a playoff final spot secured.

With arguably the two best teams of the French league meeting each other, French hockey fans were anticipating on an exciting series.

Rouen got off a fantastic start in game one taking a 3-0 lead halfway the game.
Helped by two power-play goals, Grenoble managed to cut the deficit to a single
goal with ten minutes left to play but Rouen goaltender Matija Pintaric withstood the pressure and registered a 36-save performance in the 4-3 victory.


The Slovenian netminder rose to the occasion in game two stopping all 29 shots in front of a French league record crowd (excluding outdoor games) of 3,852 people witnessing Rouen bagging a 3-0 win. Pintaric was awarded with the playoff final MVP stopping 120 shots for a 92.3% save percentage.

The series now went back to Ile Lacroix, the Rouen arena named for the island it sits on where a frantic crowd showed up in large numbers.

Not impressed by the hostile environment, Grenoble was less than two minutes away from rejuvenating the playoff series. Vincent Kara went from hero to villain. The Grenoble forward had put his team ahead early in the third period but when his high stick penalty late in the game, saw Rouen having the chance to equalize with the extra man on the ice and the area erupted when Anthony Guttig tied the game up 3-3 after 58 minutes.

Once again Grenoble came up short in overtime, this time Marc-Andre Thinel pulled the trigger to earn Rouen a comfortable 3-0 series lead.

"The audience here is magic," said Fabien Colotti about the fan support on the island. "It made the difference and pushed us to victory."

Words that are echoed by his coach. Lhenry: "To win at home is always better, the party will be more beautiful."

Forget Ibiza, forget Santorini. If you want to visit the first party island of the year, book a ticket to Rouen. Ile Lacroix has proven itself to be the place
to visit for parties in April and earned its ticket to next year's Champions Hockey League.

JOERI LOONEN

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