Hockey: Lausanne will not be content with being a brilliant runner-up

“Straight after losing game seven of the final, Geoff told us in the locker room that next year was going to be tougher. We then placed the emphasis throughout the preparation on the fact that we were going to have to play again and win matches. It’s a good start to the season, but the ranking is so tight that everything can go quickly…”

For Joël Genazzi, if Lausanne HC brilliantly escaped the finalist blues that many promised them, it is primarily thanks to the remarkable work of its strong man, the successful coach Geoff Ward. But also thanks to a strong and coherent club identity.

This famous “unity that creates strength” is fully reflected on the ice since the Lions (second) are hot on the heels of the leader and defending champion Zurich in the National League rankings. After a big third of the championship, they have a striking average of almost two points per match.

“Being where we are today after 19 matches (editor’s note: and 37 points) is a great success for us, applauds the Canadian coach. Especially if we consider the renewal of the team during the summer and the participation in the Champions League. Our training volume has also been reduced by 67% compared to last year. In addition, we had to deal with numerous injuries. So a lot of things could have made us deviate from our path, but the players reacted very well. So the credit goes to them.”

At the Vaudoise Aréna, one of the great satisfactions lies in the team’s ability to always get up and react after a poor performance. The example of this last weekend of competition before the break dedicated to national teams is perfect: defeated on Friday in Bern (7-2), the LHC spent six the next day in Rapperswil (6-3).

“The players are proud to have only lost two games in a row once,” admits Geoff Ward. We can’t win every game, but we can control how we prepare to win again. The guys did a good job in this area. They were able to take what there was to learn from the losses, shake them off and give a better effort the next game.”

The reigning Swiss vice-champion has already played 25 official games in 2024-2025, between the championship and the Champions League where he is also doing very well (third in the “regular season” and qualified for the round of 16 against Geneva-Servette). So obviously, the Vaudois don’t really have time to think about it.

“We play so many matches that we have the same state of mind as in the play-offs,” notes Joël Genazzi. Whether you are beaten 7-2, as was our case on Friday in Bern, or you lose 1-0 on penalties, there are no big differences. Behind, you have to bounce back and react. Which we generally manage to do well. So I can only be proud of the team.”

At 36 years old, the LHC captain, however, has enough experience to know that his training can still be improved on several aspects. The Lausanne rearguard, with already 54 goals conceded, is still too leaky.

“Our strong point remains team defense,” he believes. But it’s clear that we are not yet where we would like to be, especially in terms of zone exits. We know we have potential. It’s actually not bad to have potential when you’re second. It gives you confidence.”

As for his coach, the builder’s speech has not changed since his appointment as head of the Lions almost two years ago to the day (November 6, 2022).

“I don’t know if anyone expected us to be second,” asks Geoff Ward. This is obviously a good thing, but we cannot rest on our laurels. Our credo has always been to improve day after day. Compared to last year, we have made great progress offensively and we have become a much more dangerous team. However, we know that there are still many things that can be improved if we want to become a good play-off team. These are the points that we will work on when the players return to training.”

The Ontario technician, a fine manager, granted several days of rest to his troop. The next collective session is therefore not scheduled until Saturday, November 9. That is a little more than 72 hours before the Vaudois return to competition, against Genève-Servette, in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League.