Ice hockey: Colorful evening for Damien Riat and Joël Genazzi

One scored his first successes in the National League as a young father, the other played the role of firefighter on duty on the front line of the Lausanne attack. Friday, Damien Riat and Joël Genazzi experienced an evening full of emotions at the Vaudoise arena. So much so that the LHC’s great victory in front of Berne (3-2 ap) was almost relegated to the background.

Double scorer in the space of 149 seconds during the first period, the Swiss international unlocked his personal counter in the championship this season. A moment suspended in time for the Swiss international since it was his first goals in the elite since his partner gave birth to their daughter at the start of the summer.

“Additional energy”

“I’m currently going through an incredible time with my wife and my family,” smiles the man who recently extended his contract with the Lions until 2030. “It’s really just happiness and I’m very happy. My daughter gives me extra energy when I’m on the ice.”

With five points in as many outings, No. 9 of the LHC started his exercise perfectly. Is he planning a celebration in honor of his little one when he proves decisive again? “No, I’m not working too much on that,” laughs the Geneva striker. It’s more instinct, it comes like that. We’ll see what happens next time.”

If he were to lack imagination, Damien Riat could, however, turn to his brother, Arnaud. Because he did even better than his elder, Friday evening, by scoring a hat-trick for Sierre against La Chaux-de-Fonds (4-2) at the lower level.

“Ah yes?, exclaimed the LHC scorer upon discovering the news. It’s really cool. But it’s funny that you bring it up because it’s not the first night where we’ve both scored. It’s quite funny that it happened again tonight (editor’s note: Friday). In any case, I am very happy to learn that he scored three goals. He deserves it.”

Genazzi, return to youth

Joël Genazzi also had some merit during this meeting against the Bears. Because the Lions captain was parachuted to the wing of the fourth Vaud offensive line following the withdrawal of Finnish striker Lauri Pajuniemi.

“With the injuries we currently have in attack, the coach needed a player to replace them and he decided that it would be me,” says No. 79 of the LHC. For me, it’s always a pleasure to play in attack because that’s what I did all my youth. I tried to play my role as best as possible.”

Aligned for 7’23” by his coach Geoff Ward, the professional defender did not really have the opportunity to shine. Nor to put yourself in the red.

“These are different efforts than playing defense,” he admits. But it all depends on your playing time. Sometimes I’m not tired after matches, although I play my role to the fullest. At the time, when I played around twenty minutes per match as a defender, it was tiring. Now I play in the fourth line, whether in defense or attack. I give everything, but I can’t say that I’m extremely tired at the end of the matches.”

It is therefore relatively fresh that Joël Genazzi will tackle the meeting on the ice of Rapperswil this Saturday evening (kick-off at 7:45 p.m.). Where his former teammates in Malley Ivars Punnenovs and Igor Jelovac now play.

“We’re looking forward to playing against friends,” laughs the 36-year-old routiner. It’s always cool to see faces that we know well and like. But when you’re on the ice, there are no more friends. Besides, we’ve had some difficult matches there in recent years. It’s time to win there, to find solutions to achieve it.”

Successes from Damien Riat or Joël Genazzi would certainly help the Lions in their quest.

“The Lions Tribune”

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