A clamor resounded to the delight of the 1103 spectators.
Thanks to a thunderous end to the match and a last-minute goal signed Pierre-Charles Hordelalay, the Jokers de Cergy-Pontoise made a success of their debut in the Magnus League by taking the best of Mulhouse (3-2), semi-finalist of the play -offs last year.
Despite a reduced capacity of 1,430 spectators and drastic health measures, the leaders managed to organize this first event.
Reduced capacity
"Can I take your temperature please?"
»At the entrance to Aren'Ice, in Cergy (Val-d'Oise), security guards check the body temperature of masked spectators using a sensor.
Hydraulic gel is also available in the ice rink.
“We were in good shape because we had 5 friendly matches to test the health protocol,” explains manager Christophe Cuzin.
While the Jokers had one of the biggest crowds in Ile-de-France all sports last season with peaks of 3000 spectators (the capacity of the Aren'Ice) before the end of the championships, they had to adapt to a lowered gauge due to the coronavirus.
For this first championship meeting, 1,430 people had bought a ticket but 1,103 came to the ice rink.
They were scattered throughout the stands in order to respect the rules of social distancing.
“We had to change our pricing policy with the 20% price increase for seats and subscriptions,” says Christophe Cuzin.
Some complained and we reimbursed them.
But, we have undertaken to return to the previous prices as soon as we return to a normal gauge.
I hope it will be as soon as possible because if we stay with the same gauge all season, we can have a loss of between 100,000 and 200,000 € on the ticket office.
"
An enthusiastic and loyal audience
For 3 years, the Jokers have been able to attract a large and loyal audience.
Not just ice hockey licensees.
Those present this Saturday evening did not want to miss the event like Florian, the leader of the Aces of the ice, one of the two kops, which has 80 members.
“It's nice to be together,” says the subscriber who works as a hospital agent.
We live every minute of this first game to the full because it may be the last game of the season.
»Further to the left in the gallery, Anthony came with his wife and his two sons aged 6 and 3.
“I used to go watch hockey games in Anglet (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) but I moved to Val-d'Oise,” said the policeman.
It is an affordable sport for a family of 4 and the hall is very pleasant.
There is everything here to have a good evening.
"" I came for the first time by chance and I liked it so I came back, explains Ludivine who attends the match alone.
There is a great atmosphere, the team is competitive and we see a lot of goals in this sport.
»Dressed in a Jokers jersey, Guillaume leaves to eat in one of the different refreshments installed in the room.
"I love this friendly and family side around this club", supports the pharmacist.
A first success at the finish
Led in the last third time, Cergy-Pontoise reversed the situation and scored the winning goal thanks to Pierre-Charles Hordelalay 53 seconds from the end.
The striker, tested positive for Covid-19, had been isolated like the rest of the team and staff for two weeks (one week in quarantine and another to await the result of new tests) before resuming collective training on Tuesday latest.
This first success will bring confidence to the Jokers before a trip to Amiens on Tuesday for the second day.
“We have not given up, this will be our identity all year round, promises Pierre-Charles Hordelalay.
We are not going to project too much because this season will not be easy with another 43 regular season games plus the final stages (play-off or play-down).
The Magnus League must count on a club in the Paris region and the Jokers deserve their place in the elite.
There is everything here to build a great club.
”“ After having foiled, we ended the game very well, appreciates the coach Jonathan Paredes.
We will be able to build on this success.
We are discovering this league and we have to go step by step.
What matters to me at the moment is to be able to impose our own style of play at each meeting. "
