After 19 years since their last appearance in the semifinals of the Coupe de France of ice hockey, the Pionniers de Chamonix (Pioneers of Chamonix) will be playing against Lyon on the 16th of February 2019, in the semifinals.
Born out of the merger of the Chamonix & Morzine Ice Hockey Clubs in 2016, the Pionniers de Chamonix have made it to the semifinals of the ice hockey coupe de France of 2019.
On the 16th of February at the Accor Hotel Arena in Paris Bercy, the Pionniers de Chamonix will be facing Lyon - the current champions - from 5.15 pm for a spot in the final.
Before Chamonix vs. Lyon, Strasbourg will be playing against Amiens at 1.30 pm.
It has been 19 years since Chamonix has last made it to the semifinals and, even more, since they made it to the finals: the last time that Chamonix has played in the final of Coupe de France was 25 years ago, in 1994, and they lost to Grenoble.
Chamonix qualified for the semifinals after winning against Ducs d'Angers (4-3) on the 19th of December. On the 20th of December, the draw for the semifinals was made and Chamonix is to play against Lyon, which is one of the favourites, as well as the winner of 2018.
"Lyon and Amiens are the favourites", says Heikki Leime, Chamonix coach, "but in a game, anything can happen. It is those who will best manage the pressure and stress that will win".
Indeed, Chamonix hockey team has proven before that they have what it takes to be winners, as they have won the first three editions of the Coupe de France, in 1972, 1973 and 1974.
The final game of the ice hockey Coupe de France will be held on the 17th of February, at the Accor Hotel Arena in Paris Bercy.
