Hockey: Lausanne saves the honor and balance sheet of French-speaking clubs at Christmas

The 2024-2025 National League season is on pause until January 2. Reigning Swiss vice-champion, Lausanne HC will spend the holidays with their heads in the clouds since they occupy second place in the ranking, tied on points (61) with the Zurich leader.

The Vaudois also represent the only real clearing on this side of the Sarine. If HC Bienne (8th) was a pleasant surprise for a long time, it has gradually fallen into line. Particularly due to a failed end to the year (nine defeats in the last twelve outings).

The two main disappointments, however, are Fribourg-Gottéron (9th) and Genève-Servette (12th). And from afar. The Dragons, who changed coaches on Sunday, and the Eagles are still unable to take off in the standings. This is closed, as usual, by HC Ajoie (14th), which had a catastrophic start to the exercise.

Star consultant on the MySports channel, Stéphane Rochette takes stock of French-speaking Switzerland at Christmas for lematin.ch.

Unhappy finalist of the last play-offs, the LHC did not sink into depression. On the contrary, the Lions had a superb first part of the championship.

“Everyone expected them to do a Geneva or a Bienne after losing the seventh act of the final,” recalls Stéphane Rochette. That they are having a complicated start to the season due to the new foreigners and young goalkeepers. But they made everyone lie.”

Since September, the reigning Swiss vice-champion has impressed with his consistency in results. “This group exudes so much serenity. There was no panic during the little slump in November. It's never too high, and never too low. Like the coach (ndlr: Geoff Ward)which conveys its calm.”

Monday evening in Langnau, Jason Fuchs – finally – found the net. All Lausanne attackers have now scored in the league. “With the return of the injured, the coach has found a certain balance in his trios. Everyone is in their right place.”

HC Bienne, with its new coach Martin Filander, defied the predictions during the first weeks of competition. Before being overtaken by reality and a good dose of bad luck.

“With the numerous departures in the off-season, we expected that Bienne would experience a complicated season,” recalls the Quebec expert. The coach did a good job and his team surprised everyone a little with their hyper defensive style of play and the miracles of Harri Säteri. The Biel residents were then deceived, but they are now caught by the patrol.”

The long absences of major players like Viktor Vööv, Lias Andersson, Damien Brunner and Gaëtan Haas have weighed down the Zealanders since mid-November. “These are catastrophic absences for them.”

If the HCB has fallen into line, it is also due to the poor form of its offensive. The worst in the league with 66 goals scored. “Apart from Toni Rajala, who scores important goals at key moments, the attackers are not decisive enough. In their defense, the game system does not help them. Biel will have to fight to be in the top 10.”

The ax finally fell on Sunday: Pat Emond was replaced at the Fribourg-Gottéron squad by Lars Leuenberger until the end of the season. Waiting for Roger Rönnberg next summer.

“The leaders did not want to admit that it was a season of transition while waiting for the arrival of the Messiah,” notes the former professional referee. When this decision was made, everyone wondered what they were going to do if it didn't work out with Pat Emond. And this disaster scenario has arrived…”

Because the Dragons have never managed to get out of the bottom of the rankings. The fault lies in a lame strategy of the club, but also in the approach of the Canadian coach.

“This change of coach will be positive. It doesn't matter whether it's Lars Leuenberger or someone else. Instead of maintaining continuity, Pat Emond perhaps wanted to change things too much compared to Christian Dubé's system, which suited the players well. It didn’t please, and the guys turned on each other.”

The scenario for the coming weeks? “The guys will want to prove that it was the coach's fault, and not their fault. In terms of pride, I think they will be in the ten.”

Only twelfth in the national hierarchy at Christmas, Genève-Servette moved up three places in the points per match ranking (1,345). This remains insufficient given the quality of the workforce. But this is easily explained.

“Swiss players, like Tanner Richard, do not produce enough,” underlines the MySports consultant. The foreigners do their job and their points. But it's too much about them. Overall, this is a team that has not yet taken off. It's one shot up, one shot down. It’s not convincing.”

The renovation of the Vernets ice rink and the eight away matches at the opening of the championship have constantly placed the Eagles behind in terms of games played. A hiding place.

“It’s a disappointing season in the league, which is strangely similar to last year. We don't feel any urgency or rage. We don't see big reactions when things are going less well. It seems like there is a lack of leaders on this team. Despite everything, thanks to its power play and the commitment of Antti Raanta, I think that Geneva will also be in the top 10. Therefore, it will not be an easy team to face.

After thirteen matches and four miserable points collected, HC Ajoie decided to part ways with their coach Christian Wohlwend. The interim of Julien Vauclair, then the arrival of Greg Ireland allowed the Jurassians to regain some color.

“Since the change of coach, the Ajoulots have been competing and giving the impression of being able to create a surprise in every match,” notes Stéphane Rochette. At home, they are particularly formidable.”

However, Vouivre remains dropped to the back of the pack, thirteen points behind its closest opponent. The fault lies with a Swiss contingent that is far too limited. Crippling to abandon the red lantern. “The difference between the good and the less good teams is made at the level of the Swiss players. In Ajoie, behind the foreigners, there is nothingness.”

Because Jerry Turkulainen, Julius Nättinen and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare carry the team at arm's length. “The arrival of the latter, combined with that of the coach, was a shift and it reversed the dynamic. The foreigners have been excellent so far, but I can't imagine them being able to maintain this pace throughout the season.”

In other words, HC Ajoie is in its place at 14th place.