GAP, France – For the second time in three years the Gap Rapaces won the French Ligue Magnus. Three straight wins against last year’s champions Rouen were the key to a 4-2 series victory and having entered the top-5 of most successful French hockey teams in history.

Located in the south-eastern part of France, neighbouring the Alps, Gap counts less than 50,000 inhabitants but its hockey team is working miracles carrying only the eighth-largest budget in the league (€1,3 million).

Having already overtaken Grenoble and Chamonix, the Rapaces (birds of prey in French) have expanded their territory and are now battling further up north where giants Rouen Dragons have been a dominant force with seven titles in the last decade and a budget twice a high as Gap’s.

Entering the playoffs as the top seed, Gap first disposed themselves of Epinal in four games and then outclassing Bordeaux in the last two games of the semi-final series. A tied series after four games was concluded with two convincing victories; 4-0 and 5-1 setting up a repeat of last year’s semi-final against third-seeded Rouen.

The Dragons delivered the first punch by winning Game 1 in Gap in overtime; 3-2. The exact same result was on the scoreboard in Game 4. After both teams had exchanged victories, the Rapaces evened the series with an overtime win and gaining a huge confidence booster ahead of Game 5 on home ice.

The all important fifth game was even for 40 minutes with both teams finding the net twice. Outshooting their opponents 19-5 in the third period, it was a miracle only Christian Isackson was able to put the puck behind a stellar Dany Sabourin. Yet the narrow victory came fully deserved.

The first period of game six was a true roller coaster for Rouen. The Dragons took a 1-0 lead after just 19 seconds thanks to a Marc-Andre Thinel forcing the puck across the line but then fell behind within 15 minutes and also saw goaltender Sabourin being expelled from the game with a game misconduct for a challenge of Maurin Bouvet.

The Canadian veteran was replaced by Quentin Papillon, who on this exact day was celebrating his 20th birthday. Although he played admirably well, the young French goaltender wasn’t given the birthday present he had hoped for.

Despite a ferocious second period in which Rouen limited Gap to just a single shot on goal, it was Gap forward Cedric di Dio Balsamo, who was lethal with the one shot. The goal restored the lead after Francois-Pierre Guenette had tied the game up midway the second period with a power play goal.

Entering the final period with a one-goal lead, Gap was playing conservatively while Rouen lacked the tools to break open the tight defence. In the dying moments with the net empty it was Christian Isackson again who put the dagger into the dragon’s heart by converting an empty net opportunity with 12 seconds left to play.

“We were too inconsistent this season,” admitted Rouen’s head coach Fabrice Lhenry. “We will have to improve in that area next season in order to be successful. Gap was a consistent force all season and deservedly has won this title.”

Gap forward Anthony Rech was voted the playoff MVP after already having won the same title for the regular season. In the post season he scored 11 goals and 20 points in just 14 games. Not awarded for his achievement but being influential for this year’s success was goaltender Clement “Fouky” Fouquerel. Not only did he post the best goals against average totals (2.45) but he also boasted the highest save percentage with 90.7%.

A third pillar behind the rise of the birds is not to be found on the ice but behind the bench. Italo-Canadian coach Luciano Basile is quickly making a name for himself in the world of hockey having now captured three French league titles in four years’ time. Twice he won the title with Gap (2015 and 2017) while he also led Briancon to its last title in 2014. Despite the success, Basile will be leaving the team as he had announced his departure earlier this season.

“The departure of 18 players of last year’s squad proved to be a blessing in disguise,” said Basile. “When working with a limited budget there’s no option to plan for the long term. It does allow me to rebuild and select young French players who believe in my project that is aimed to win. Add to that the special qualities of North American college and university players who always possess great leadership and determination to win and the foundation to a solid squad that plays a modern and aggressive game are set.”

The coach remains modest about his own achievements but is speaking his pride of his team that continued to perform despite the message that their coach would leave after this season.

“The players could have responded negatively, but there were no signs of the team being demoralized but they all showed character all the way until the end. This group has been given me so much pleasure to coach.”

While Gap’s top players like Patrick McEachen, Sean Ringrose, Fouquerel and Rech have signed or will most likely sign elsewhere, Basile does not yet know where he’ll be coaching next season.

Basile: “Time will tell. I do not regret my decision. I have always enjoyed working with a tight budget as it forced me to go beyond my limits.”

Birds were not given wings to sit in a tree and observe. They should use what was given to them to the fullest. The birds from Gap have shown what that could lead to.

JOERI LOONEN