We won’t go so far as to say that there was any doubt… But things still got a little confusing a few days ago. The LHC had a sluggish start to the European campaign, before losing in Davos at the opening of the championship. A 4-1 loss, but against the team that currently dominates the standings. And then the people of Lausanne took the Champions League as a series of friendly matches, so nothing to get excited about. But around here, the supporters are a little flammable. They caught fire this Tuesday, but this time it was not for the same reasons. Because since then, Lausanne has first swept aside the doubts, then the Eagles, conceded two goals in three matches and slapped their best enemy in the face in historic proportions.
The Vaudois had an impressive start to the match. They were rewarded in the 8th minute, with what was only their 3rd officially recorded shot on target. Oksanen launched Rochette with the millimeter and the darling of the Vaudoise arena went to deceive Charlin solo. The Grenat reacted well, but it was their goalkeeper who saved them with the pad in the 15th minute, when Douay tried to take advantage of a rebound. Two minutes later, it was on a strike from Fuchs that he opposed his big mitt. The start of the problems.
The best player of the last National League season could not do anything in the 18th, when Brännström cleaned his top corner while the LHC played with two more men on the ice. He could only bow to a surgical delivery from Caggiula after 25 seconds in the second period. The Geneva goalkeeper, disturbed by a bunch of players, then pushed the 4-0 puck signed Bougro (23rd) himself, before losing a fifth time a few seconds later (Czarnik) and being called back to the bench by his coach Yorick Treille.
There are evenings like this and it has almost become ridiculous. Rochette put on No. 6 mid-match, outnumbered. Brännström did it again in the 36th and 44th. Just before, Caggiula (39th) had scored the 8th and it was Fiedler who paid for the case of beer after making it 10-0 in the 45th. For his 2nd goal with the LHC, it’s an expensive achievement! For the GSHC too (which took 11th from Rochette in the 51st…). The Genevans will only have two days to think about it. The arrival of Friborg is an opportunity to redeem oneself. Because this one hurts. The last time the LHC scored more than ten goals in an official match was against a failing HC Sierre (13-1) almost thirteen years ago.
Lausanne HC – Genève-Servette 11-0 (2-0 6-0 3-0)
Vaudoise arena, Prilly. 9,525 spectators (box offices closed). Referees: Lemelin/Stricker, Stalder/Francey. Goals: 8th Rochette (Oksanen) 1-0. 18th Brännström (Rochette, Czarnik/5 against 3) 2-0. 21st (20’25) Caggiula (Czarnik) 3-0. 23rd Bougro (Prassl) 4-0. 24th Czarnik (Caggiula) 5-0. 30th Rochette (Riat/at 4 against 5!) 6-0. 36th Brännström (Caggiula) 7-0. 39th Caggiula (Czarnik, Zehnder) 8-0. 44th Brännström (Czarnik) 9-0. 45th Fiedler (Oksanen) 10-0. 51st Rochette (Brännström, Oksanen/5 against 4) 11-0,
Lausanne HC: Hughes; Heldner, Brannstrom; Niku, Marti; Baragano, Fiedler; Vouardoux, Sansonnens; Zehnder, Czarnik, Caggiula; Riat, Rochette, Oksanen; Fuchs, Jäger, Kahun; Prassl, Bougro, Douay. Coach: Geoff Ward.
Geneva-Servette: Charlin (24th Mayer); Le Coultre, Saarijärvi; Karrer, Berni; Rutta, Chanton; Sutter, Ignatavicius; Puljujarvi; Manninen, Bozon; Beck, Jooris, Vesey; Praplan, Pouliot, Rod; Miranda, Verboon, Hischier. Coach: Yorick Treille.
Notes: the LHC without Holdener, Hügli, Haas (extras), nor Suomela (injured). The GSHC without Granlund, Richard (injured), nor Akeson (extra). Geneva changes goalkeeper after 24 minutes. Penalties: 3×2′ against Lausanne, 4×2 against Geneva.
