Ice hockey: A match to forget for Lausanne, defeated in Bern

The Lausanne HC did not emerge unscathed from its passage into the Bear Pit. The Vaud team lost in a big way against an insatiable CP Berne (7-2) on Friday evening at the PostFinance Arena. Young goalkeeper Kevin Pasche had a complicated match (21 interventions, 75% saves) and the Lions logically conceded their sixth defeat of the season in the National League. The most severe exercise.

On the ice of the capital, Geoff Ward’s men, who were left with two successes (in Lugano and against Kloten), were taken by the throat from the outset by the aggressive and conquering Bernese. Cornered in their defensive zone during the first minutes of the game due to the enormous pressure put on by their opponents, the Lausanne players were quickly forced to skate after the score.

Because it only took 134 seconds for Simon Moser (3rd, 1-0), forgotten between the two rounds of engagement, to open the scoring. And less than seven minutes for the former SCB captain, superbly served by Thierry Schild, to score a double and complete the Bears’ long period of domination.

However, the debates were subsequently balanced, as soon as the score was reduced by Aurélien Marti (10th, 2-1). Formerly of the Bernese house, the rough defender, found well behind by Damien Riat, took advantage of a hesitant Philip Wüthrich to revive the actions of his colors. Above all, the “sheriff” proved that he loved skating in the largest ice rink in the country, he who had marked his only success in 2023-2024 on this same ice (last March 2).

But the clearing up, on the LHC side, only lasted until mid-match, a moment chosen by the Bernese to step on the accelerator decisively. Waltteri Merelä (29th, 3-1), with a subtle deviation, then top scorer Austin Czarnik (33rd, 4-1), at the conclusion of a perfectly negotiated power-play, put an end to all suspense. Two actions initiated by Neuchâtel defender Romain Loeffel, who achieved a great performance in the ranks of the Bears with his three personal points.

The rest of the game was nothing but filler, although marked by an avalanche of goals and anecdotal penalties, between the formation of Jussi Tapola wanting to regain color (it remained on five defeats in its last six matches) and Lions who let go and managed their forces in preparation for the reception of Rapperswil, Saturday evening (kick-off at 7:45 p.m.), at the Vaudoise arena. The final release from the LHC before the international break.

Bern – Lausanne 7-2 (2-1 2-0 3-1)