Disappointment and frustration were visible on Geneva’s faces after the new defeat conceded on Tuesday evening against the ZSC Lions.
BASTIEN GALLAY / GALLAYPHOTO
Four defeats in a row, a penultimate place in the standings (admittedly with a few late matches to play) and a list of absentees which continues to grow: Genève-Servette is currently experiencing a critical period in the National League.
How does the Garnet team, Swiss champion in 2023 and European champion last February, find itself in a perilous situation again, just a few months after having already missed the play-offs?
Management of goalkeepers singled out
“There are several explanations,” said Benjamin Antonietti, retired with 130 appearances for the Eagles. By starting its season with eight away matches, Geneva failed to create any real momentum. Injuries to major players can also partly explain this complicated start to the championship, even if I believe that there is enough talent on paper to take over.
During the loss conceded Tuesday against Zurich (1-3), coach Jan Cadieux was however deprived of goalkeepers Gauthier Descloux and Robert Mayer, defenders Roger Karrer, Simon Le Coultre and Mike Völlmin, as well as attackers Luca Hischier, Marc -Antoine Pouliot and Noah Rod (all on the flank). The bad luck even continued during this duel between Eagles and Lions since Theodor Lennström was injured on his first shift…
Lennström absent “3 to 4 weeks”
Theodor Lennström is definitely having a complicated adventure at Les Vernets. The Swedish full-back, who was only able to touch the National League ice 19 times last season, will miss three to four weeks of competition. The 30-year-old was hit in the “lower body”.
Apart from Gauthier Descloux and Noah Rod (long term), the other absentees are assessed on a “day to day” basis, communicates the garnet club. Uncertainty still remains regarding the return to play of Robert Mayer and Simon Le Coultre this weekend. Otherwise, they will be fit after the national team break.
“There are many leaders in this list,” underlines Laurent Perroton. We can also add Michael Spacek, who was supernumerary due to problems at the goalkeeper position. These have been hanging around since last year and prevent the team from having consistency and performances in front of the cage that win you matches. We must not forget that Geneva had Stéphane Charlin and Antoine Keller in its ranks. We are then obliged to point the finger at the specific management of this position.”
On fire since the start of the season, the first named will also return home from the next financial year (contract covering the next three championships). But this transfer, made official two weeks ago, will not resolve anything immediately. In particular the insufficient performance of the Swiss contingent.
The Cadieux method boring?
“The Swiss are not doing very well,” recognizes Benjamin Antonietti. The fourth line doesn’t play much. Does she deserve more playing time? That’s another question. As a result, the coaching staff tends to force the first three triplets. And since the major injuries are on defense, it also forces the attackers to help in the defensive zone. And they lose energy…”
And as players of the caliber of Henrik Tömmernes, capable of accumulating long presences on the ice, are no longer there to compensate for the string of absentees…
“His presence and that of Sami Vatanen two seasons ago, when Geneva were champions, allowed the Eagles to overturn many games,” recalls Laurent Perroton. When you have two players capable of making such differences, the Swiss players have more confidence in themselves and the foreigners have less need to be overused.
For Laurent Perroton, Sami Vatanen is less radiant than during his first seasons in Geneva.
BASTIEN GALLAY / GALLAYPHOTO
This is clearly not the case currently for the Vernets. The consultant from Léman Bleu and Planète Hockey also feels a certain absence of “joie de vivre” within the Garnet squad.
“We must never forget that the third season as a coach is the most difficult,” says the former coach of Forward Morges and HCV Martigny. We are in a consumer society: people get bored quickly. As Jan Cadieux is known for his high demands, he wants a certain intensity whether in training or in matches, it can be tiring for some. The team sometimes seems tired. Is it physical? Or mental? Still, this method has brought great success to Geneva.”
At least, until now. The Grenat will try to rectify the situation during their last two outings before the international break, namely this Friday evening (kick-off at 7:45 p.m.) in Lugano and the next day against Bienne at the Vernets ice rink.
