The Zealanders, who had four defeats in a row, won 6-1 against a pale Lausanne Hockey Club. They thus return to within one length of the top 6.
Forced to deal with an infirmary that is always full, coach Martin Finlander came to an end on Tuesday. The young attackers Livio Christen (19 years old) and Jonah Neuenschwander (only 15 years old!) indeed shone for their baptism of fire in the NL.
Christen set a decisive screen in front of LHC goalkeeper Kevin Pasche on the first goal, scored on a power play by Alexander Yakovenko in the 13th. Neuenschwander – who lined up on the front row alongside Jere Sallinen and Aleksi Heponiemi – was credited with an assist in the success.
Jonah Neuenschwander also wrote a page in the history of Swiss hockey on Tuesday evening. He became the first player under the age of 16 to score a point in the elite since former NHL player Michel Riesen in 1994/95, then in the jersey of… Bienne.
Trailing 2-0 after 20′ of play, Lausanne nevertheless believed they were getting back on track thanks to the first goal scored this season by their captain Joël Genazzi (23rd, 2-1). But Geoff Ward’s men have definitely not been inspired far from their bases in recent weeks.
And Kevin Pasche wasn’t in for a great night either. He capitulated three times in the middle third, Bienne forcing the decision with successes from Jere Sallinen (27th, 3-1), Toni Rajala (38th, 4-1) and Elvis Schläpfer (40th, 5-1). Pasche also gave up his position to Antoine Keller in the third period.
This LHC defeat benefits the Zurich Lions, who regain the lead in the standings – tied with Davos – thanks to their victory at Rapperswil-Jona (4-1). Denis Malgin was decisive, assisting on Z’s first goal before scoring 2-0 in the 12th and 4-1 in the 60th in an empty cage.
Zug also won 5-0 against Kloten, who nevertheless had four victories in a row. The EVZ, which for its part won its third consecutive success, made the difference in a first third concluded with a score of 3-0. The last match of the evening saw Langnau beat Lugano 5-3 on Ticino soil.
