The Rapperswil ice rink still refuses HC Ajoie. The Jura club did not manage to score a success in the St. Gallen den on Wednesday, which would have been its first since returning to the National League. The Jurassiens lost 3-1 after a rather close match which changed at the start of the last third. Greg Ireland’s team sees its gap of six points with 13e Lugano maintained.
It has become a habit in 2025: HC Ajoie opens the scoring. On Wednesday again, he was the first to score thanks to Marco Pedretti (8e minute) who subtly deflected a throw from Valentin Pilet. This goal rewarded a diligent first third from HCA, who played with intensity and seriousness in front of a still excellent Benjamin Conz. Ajoie can also be credited with a good second third, but an error on the restart at the start of the period cost the equalizer. In the end, the HCA will not have lasted the distance. “We played a solid match for forty minutes and a drop in pace at the start of the last third cost us the match,” analyzed striker Louis Robin. On the first shift of the last third, an unfortunate passivity allowed the St. Gallois parade block to score the second. Rapperswil then put the pressure on while managing their lead. On a counter, Julius Nättinen had the equalizing puck but shortly after, the Swede Strömwall secured the 7e victory (in 9 matches) for Rapperswil since its change of coach in mid-December.
The HCA thus remains last, still two victories behind Lugano, at rest on Wednesday. He is looking ahead to a “strong” weekend with the reception of Friborg on Friday in Porrentruy (7:45 p.m., live on RFJ) before going on the ice of leader Lausanne on Saturday. /clo
Swiss
