HC Ajoie won 5-2 Friday evening against leader Kloten, ending a series of seven consecutive losses.
After the fiasco at the start of the season, a reaction was expected from HC Ajoie. And there was a reaction. Winner of the surprising leader of the National League, he obtained his first points of the competition.
At the gang, Christian Wohlwend knew that his contract in the Jura was hanging by a thread. At a match, in this case. The coach in the hot seat has not completely lost his locker room, judging by the performance offered by his men.
HC Ajoie now has a week’s break ahead of them before taking to the Zurich ice to face the reigning champion next Friday.
HC Bienne emerged victorious from its duel with Lugano, Friday evening at the Tissot Arena (5-3), during the eighth round of the National League.
The people of Bienne, who had three consecutive defeats in the league, absolutely had to bounce back against the people of Ticino. Penultimate in the standings at kick-off, they knew that the task would not be easy since the HCL had just won four of their last five duels. Mission accomplished.
Saturday, in Langnau (7:45 p.m.), Bienne will have to maintain the excellent state of mind shown on Friday to confirm this success.
And four for Lausanne HC. Successively defeating Bern, Rapperswil and Bienne, the team coached by Geoff Ward added Zug to its roster.
Friday evening at the Vaudoise Arena, the Lions beat the Taureaux of Central Switzerland (6-3) after a tight and tense duel.
Saturday evening (kick-off at 7:45 p.m.), the Lions travel to the Swiss Life Arena to challenge Zurich, the reigning Swiss champions, in the first confrontation between the two teams since the final of the last play- off. It’s a safe bet that the Vaudois will intend to take their revenge.
Things were not easy for Jan Cadieux’s players, who were dominated on Friday evening. They ended up losing in overtime (5-4 ap). But they still save a point.
For the Genevans, the National League days follow one another and are similar. This weekend they played their sixth away match in Ambri and on Saturday they will play the seventh in Kloten (7:45 p.m.). Can’t wait for them on October 18 and the return to Vernets.
