Hockey: Will Ajoie compete in the promotion/relegation play-off?

HC Ajoie is doing better since the arrival of Greg Ireland at the helm.

Claudio De Capitani/freshfocus

Thirteen matches, four points: the 2024-2025 National League season got off to a bad start for HC Ajoie. Logically, coach Christian Wohlwend was asked to pack up and give up his place in the squad to Greg Ireland. Since then, the Jura team has come back to life and has collected more than one unit per outing (29 points collected over the last 21 games).

This metamorphosis, also linked to the arrival at the end of October of French striker Pierre-Édouard Bellemare, did not, however, allow Vouivre to get rid of its red lantern. Therefore, a question arises: will HC Ajoie compete in the promotion/relegation play-off?

Two journalists from matin.ch debate it in the series of French-speaking questions for 2025.

Chris Geiger: Oui

Since October 21 and the dismissal of Christian Wohlwend, HC Ajoie is doing better and is finally evolving at a level worthy of the National League. Despite this rebound, the Jura team remains a good distance from its closest opponent (nine points behind HC Lugano, 13th).

With only a third of the regular season remaining, it seems impossible to see Vouivre escape one of the last two places synonymous with play-out. Almost condemned to compete in this series of fear, the red lantern Ajoulote will have to achieve an exploit if they intend to escape the promotion/relegation barrage against the future Swiss League champion. Because she remains the outsider against any elite opponent.

However, without its Finnish top scorer Jerry Turkulainen (missed until the end of the season), the Porrentruy hockey players will have difficulty winning a best of seven match confrontation against another representative of the National League.

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Especially since Greg Ireland’s men always appear (much) too dependent on the performance of their foreigners. So from the moment the opposing coaching staff finds the formula to contain the Jura parade line, the HCA will find itself in the dam.

Ruben Steiger: Non

When making predictions before the start of the season, it seemed obvious that HC Ajoie would finish last in the standings and compete in the promotion/relegation play-off. As long as this takes place. This omen seemed to be a good one on the evening of October 19, when the Jurassiens had 4 miserable points in 13 matches.

But everything changed with the change of coach. Since October 31, under the leadership of Greg Ireland, HCA has been averaging 1.41 points per game. This is better than Lugano, Ambri, Rapperswil and Bienne over the same period.

So it’s not too late to change your mind. Ajoie relies on foreigners of a higher level than some of his potential play-out opponents. And this, despite Jerry Turkulainen’s injury. The Finn’s absence is compensated for by the return to form of his compatriot Oula Palve.

A final element leans in favor of the Porrentruy formation. She has been preparing for this play-out for months. Quite the opposite of Lugano, by any chance, who expected to play the leading roles.

Moreover, it would be funny if Greg Ireland sent the Bianconeri, who had not retained him in 2019, to fight for their survival in the elite.

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