Beaten in its last four outings, including twice after extra time, HC Bienne reacted brilliantly. In front of their home crowd, the Zealanders won 6-1 against Lausanne HC and moved back into the top-6 of the National League.
Forced to deal with an infirmary that was always full, coach Martin Finlander came up short. Attackers Livio Christen (19 years old) and Jonah Neuenschwander (15 years old!) shone for their baptism of fire in the NL.
A first since Riesen
Christen set a decisive screen in front of LHC goalkeeper Kevin Pasche on the first goal, scored on a power play by Alexander Yakovenko in the 13th. Neuenschwander was credited with an assist on this achievement. Neuenschwander has also written a page in the history of Swiss hockey. He became the first player under the age of 16 to score a point in the elite since former NHL player Michel Riesen in 1994/95, then in the jersey of… Bienne.
Trailing 2-0 after 20′ of play, Lausanne thought it would revive thanks to the first goal scored this season by its captain Joël Genazzi. But Geoff Ward’s men capitulated three times before the second siren. Mass was said.
ats/lper
Swiss
