Everything is smiling at HC La Chaux-de-Fonds at the moment. Two days after outclassing Sierre in the derby, the Neuchâtelois scored a fifth consecutive victory in the Swiss League, this Saturday in Chur (1-7).
If the score suggests that the match took the form of a walk in the park, the double reigning champion of the 2nd division took time to break away. At the first siren, he found himself trailing 1-0, following Tim Muggli's opener (14th). The Abeilles equalized at the start of the second third, through Sondre Olden (21st).
Then, thanks to Steven Owre (31st) and Steven Macquat (31st, 32nd), they scored three goals in the space of 1'20'' which allowed them to take off. Anthony Huguenin (41st), Toms Andersons (48th) and Evgenï Chiriaev (57th) added to the tally in the last period.
At the same time, Sierre did not manage to upset the championship leader, Basel, winner for the tenth outing in a row (2-3). Trailing 0-2 after giving in to Matthias Rossi (9th) and Jakob Stukel (13th), the Valaisans reduced the gap for the first time through Arnaud Montandon (26th). Jamie Schaub gave Basel two steps ahead (40th) and Arnaud Riat was responsible for reigniting the suspense in the final minutes (59th), but it was too late.
Returning to the squad on December 13, Dany Gélinas saw his team fall for the third time in a row in four days and stagnate in 5th place. But Sierre, who during this time crossed the first three in the ranking, may have eaten his black bread. He will have the opportunity to move forward on Monday, with the reception of the red lantern Bellinzona.
La Chaux-de-Fonds, for its part, remains runner-up with one point behind Basel.
