Leader of the National League championship, Lausanne failed to bounce back the day after its hitch conceded on the ice of Fribourg-Gottéron. Thursday evening, the team coached by Geoff Ward let slip a two-goal advantage as well as the victory at the Tissot Arena in Bienne (3-2). This game between Zealanders and Vaudois was notably marked by a gross error by the refereeing quartet, at the origin of Lausanne’s second success signed Ken Jäger mid-match.
After an initial third of observation, between two teams each fielding their second goalkeeper, events accelerated upon the return of first tea. Antoine Keller, starting in the Lausanne cage for the first time since December 1, made a “big save” in front of Fabio Hofer. A decisive intervention, which would give a big boost to the Lions.
They made their highlight come true thanks to Tim Bozon (29th, 0-1), author of his twelfth achievement of the exercise by sliding the puck between the pads of Luis Janett. The French international joined the absent, top scorer Antti Suomela (injured) and Théo Rochette (ill), at the top of the LHC top scorers rankings.
The Biennois, who fielded only five foreigners, did not let themselves be demoralized by this conceded goal. They even came close to equalizing in the process, but top scorer Toni Rajala only found the amount during a period of power play (30th).
If Martin Filander’s men could feel unlucky in this action, then what can we say about the sequence leading to Vaud’s second success? Posted along the boards, referee Daniel Stricker involuntarily deflected the puck from the skate and put it back directly in the axis, on the palette of Ken Jäger (31st, 0-2). This one, totally unmarked, did not need to be asked to deceive the last Seattle rampart and score the goal of the break.
The HCB, however, showed that it had found some color recently, having managed three victories in its last four outings. And, thanks to his American striker Anthony Greco (35th, 1-2; 41st, 2-2), author of a double, the Zealanders completely relaunched themselves in this meeting. They ended up completely overturning it, finding the fault a third time at the start of the final straight. It was on a new power play that Fabio Hofer (51st, 3-2) was able to score the decisive goal.
Saturday evening (7:45 p.m.), Biel will try to have a perfect week for Kloten, while Lausanne will try to restart the machine, at the Vaudoise arena, against Ajoie.
Biel – Lausanne 3-2 (0-0 1-2 2-0)
Tissot Arena, 5730 spectators. Referees: MM. Stricker, Eriksson; Urfer, Stalder.
Buts: 29e Bozon (Jäger, Sklenicka) 0-1, 31e Jäger 0-2, 35e Greco (Allowed) 1-2, 41e Greco (Allowed, Hofer / 5c4) 2-2, 51e Hofer (Lu. Christen, Greco / 5c4) 3-2.
Biel: Janet; Burren, Grossmann; Yakovenko, Stampfli; Christ, Zryd; Delémont; Hofer, Andersson, Sallinen; Sablatnig, Tanner, Rajala; Greco, Müller, Kneubuehler; Cunti, Lu. Christen, Bachofner; Cattin. Entrepreneur: Martin Filander.
Lausanne: Cellar; Sklenicka, Bayreuth; Glauser, Fiedler; Heldner, Frick; Genazzi, Marti; Riat, Kuokkanen, Oksanen; Bozon, Jäger, Raffl; Pajuniemi, Prassl, Fox; Holdener, Bougro, Hügli. Entrepreneur: Geoff Ward.
Penalties: 4 x 2′ against Biel; 6 x 2′ against Lausanne.
Notes: Biel without Blessing, Bärtschi, Heponiemi, Lööv, Haas, Brunner (injured), Bächler, Villard, Li. Christen, nor Neuenschwander (Swiss League). Lausanne without Pilut, Vouardoux, Suomela (injured), Rochette (ill), Hammerer (extra), Fatton, nor Mémeteau (Swiss League). Lausanne without goalkeeper from 59’08” to 60’00”.
