Hockey: Has Gottéron changed status in the National League?

Seven matches, seventeen points. The balance sheet of Fribourg-Gottéron, since December 22 and the taking of office of Lars Leuenberger, is excellent. Under the leadership of the Saint-Welsh coach, the Dragons have garnered at least one unit in each of their outings in the National League.

The latest one ended on Wednesday evening with an impressive victory (4-1) against the Lausanne leader. Enough to qualify this as a benchmark success during this long chaotic 2024-2025 vintage?

“It’s a match that the players can rely on,” says Valentin Wirz. We can therefore speak of a reference match in relation to their way of playing for almost 60 minutes. “It’s not something that’s happened often this season.”

The former Swiss international, 399 appearances for Friborg, has noted clear improvements in the baseline since the resumption of the championship at the beginning of January.

“I feel a team boosted by its victory in the Spengler Cup,” explains the 43-year-old former striker. Apart from the game lost against Davos (editor’s note: 3-4 ap, last Thursday)I find the Friborg people very aggressive and in great shape. They are better in physical battle and in terms of speed of execution.

During their last meetings, the Dragons have thus rediscovered certain fundamentals which have been the DNA of Fribourg-Gottéron for several years now.

“Since the change of coach, the playing system has changed and the team plays differently,” continues the man who works as a consultant at Radio Fribourg. There is now real cohesion between defense and attack. On restarts, or during puck recoveries in the neutral zone, attackers are no longer stopped at the blue line for deflections. They are now on the move, and rely on their speed. The opponent no longer has time to put their defensive game in place.”

This style of play, focused on rapid transitions, clearly corresponds much better to the qualities of the Friborg squad, which was used in the wrong way under Pat Emond. A major tactical change which particularly damaged Lausanne HC on Wednesday evening at the BCF Arena.

“The Friborgs are playing much better,” recognizes Geoff Ward, the Lions coach. They put more energy. Defensively, they are also more united than before. If they become a credible candidate again for the play-offs? In this league, if you can qualify and play your best hockey at this time of year, then you have a chance. I can’t answer yes or no, but it is certain that they are moving in the right direction.

If the compliments proliferate externally, the Dragons keep their skates firmly planted on the ice internally. If they recognize, like Killian Mottet, that their last outing against the LHC “was a very good match” and that it “did good”, they nevertheless refuse to give in to euphoria. Or to plan for the play-offs.

“There are so many good teams in this league,” says Lars Leuenberger. For the moment, we are not thinking about what will happen in the spring. It’s mid-January and we still have 14 matches to play. We just want to improve and just focus on the next meeting. We don’t look at the rankings, or what’s happening at the top or the bottom. We will look after 52 games where we stand.”

The next deadline for Fribourg-Gottéron? A tricky trip to Porrentruy, this Friday evening (7:45 p.m.), to challenge HC Ajoie. The opportunity to take a further step towards its new status within the league.