Too many games.
The Jokers de Cergy-Pontoise season ended on Tuesday evening in Isère during match n° 5 of the Ligue Magnus playoffs for the title of champion of France.
The Val-d'Oisian formation, led by its youngest Paul Schmitt, has indeed lost heavily against the Brûleurs de Loup de Grenoble (7-0).
For their 11th playoff game in just… 18 days, Jonathan Paredes' men broke down physically against the best regular season team.
“There, there was no more gasoline in the engine, recognizes the manager Christophe Cuzin.
This performance is not up to the season.
But we came across a team built to win the title.
Our six quarter-final matches against 4 in Grenoble (4-0 winner against Bordeaux) also weighed heavily.
We must forget this game and keep our season in mind.
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𝑭𝑰𝑵 𝑫𝑬 𝑴𝑨𝑻𝑪𝑯 - Grenoble vs Cergy-Pontoise End clap
for the Jokers season!
Unfortunately, Cergy-Pontoise failed to replicate Saturday night's feat against @bruleursdeloups and lost to Grenoble (7-0).
📷: Fabien Baldino #TousJokers #SLMHockey pic.twitter.com/KbtpsWVfUu
– The Jokers (@les_jokers) March 29, 2022
The Jokers can leave the competition with their heads held high after having achieved the best season in their history.
They first accomplished an impressive regular phase with 81 points collected in 44 games in the elite, a 4th place in the general classification and a historic qualification for the playoffs.
In the quarter-finals, the Val-d'Oisiens eliminated the Gothics of Amiens 4 sets to 2 before falling in the semi-finals against Grenoble (4 wins to 1).
In the final, Grenoble will start as the big favorite against the winner of the other semi-final between Rouen and Angers.
The Normans lead 3 sets to 2 before match n° 6 this Friday in Rouen.