The trends have reversed. Just a week ago, La Chaux-de-Fonds was riding a wave of victories while Sierre was sinking. Since then, the two teams have switched to opposite dynamics. The Neuchâtelois, double reigning Swiss League champions, conceded a second defeat in a row this Saturday evening in Winterthur (3-0), five days after losing to leader Basel. The Valaisans, for their part, disposed of the ZSC Lions (2-5) and confirmed their recovery, glimpsed against Bellinzona at the start of the week.
In Winterthur, the HCC failed to shake the net. A first in three months and the reception of Visp during the 4th day, at the end of September (0-1). After a goalless first third, Zurich broke away in the second period, through Allan McShane (22nd) and Brett Neumann (25th). The first named scored twice at the end of the match to seal the outcome of the match (59th).
Sierre, for his part, had little doubt on the Küsnacht ice rink. Dany Gélinas’ men opened the scoring after just 6 minutes thanks to Joshua Lawrence. And if they were caught at the start of the second third (Robin Leone, 22nd), they were quick to regain the advantage: Samuel Asselin found the fault in the 32nd, then imitated by Roberts Cjunskis (35th). Lawrence, again (47th), and Lukas Lhotak (52nd) widened the gap, later reduced by Yannick Blaser (55th).
Among the other matches of the evening, leader Basel played against Bellinzona (7-2) and is now 7 points ahead of La Chaux-de-Fonds at the top of the championship. Sierre, 5th with 54 points, is located just behind Visp (4th, 55 points), winner of Olten (4-1).
