The reality of the European Cup is not that of the championship. Genève-Servette, twelfth in the National League, won Tuesday in Lausanne (0-5), second in the national hierarchy, in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions Hockey League. The reigning European champion thus takes a serious option on qualification for the rest of the competition and wins for the first time against his rival this season.
The LHC entered this duel very strong, without managing to consolidate its domination over the first five minutes. Once the storm passed, Jan Cadieux's team gave itself the best chance of opening the score. It took a great Kevin Pasche in front of Markus Granlund (14th) for the score to remain goalless. The nets shook ten seconds before the first break when Sakari Manninen (20th, 0-1) completed a 100% Finnish triangulation.
The turning point in this Lake Geneva derby came in the 23rd minute. For a blow to the face of Jason Fuchs, Roger Karrer was logically kicked out of the meeting. Enough to allow Geoff Ward's men to return? Absolutely not. Tanner Richard (23rd, 0-2) dampened the mood at the Vaudoise arena after 23 seconds of numerical inferiority.
In power play, Lausanne had several chances, but came up against a solid Antti Raanta. And in a solitary effort, it was Oula Palve (35th, 0-3), on loan from HC Ajoie and who was playing his first game with GSHC, who tripled the stake.
During the third period, Markus Granlund (45th, 0-4) and Oula Palve (60th, 0-5) added to the score. The LHC will have to achieve a real feat if it intends to turn the situation around next Wednesday at Les Vernets.
Lausanne – GE Servette 0-5 (0-1 0-2 0-2)
Vaudoise arena, 8973 spectators.
Referees: MM. Holm, Linde, Stalder, Duc.
Buts: 20e Manninen (Granlund, Hartikainen) 0-1, 23e Richard (Miranda / 4 c 5!) 0-2, 35e Palve (Schneller) 0-3, 45e Granlund (Vatanen / 5 c 4) 0-4, 60e Palve ( Jooris) 0-5.
Lausanne: pasche; Glauser, Bayreuther; Heldner, Frick; Fiedler, Marti; Sklenicka; Riat, Suomela, Fox; Hügli, Jäger, Bozon; Pajuniemi, Kuokkanen, Rochette; Holdener, Bougro, Genazzi; Mémeteau. Entrepreneur: Geoff Ward.
GE Servette: Raanta; Vatanen, Chanton; Karrer, Bern; Jacquemet, Le Coultre, Schneller; Miranda, Richard, Bertaggia; Hartikainen, Manninen, Granlund; Praplan, Spacek, Palve; Pouliot, Jooris, Loosli; Cavalleri. Coach: Jan Cadieux.
Penalties: 5 x 2' against Lausanne; 2 x 2' against GE Servette + 1 x 5' and misconduct for the match (Karrer).
Notes: Lausanne sans Pilut, Vouardoux, Oksanen, Prassl et Raffl. GE Servette sans Descloux, Mayer, Lennström, Völlmin, Hischier, Maillard et Rod.
