Joël Genazzi: “We knew we could do it”

In a match, there are very often moments that decide the final outcome. This can be a shorthanded goal, a power play or at the end of a third. This can also be a skillfully “killed” penalty. And that’s precisely what happened in Friborg mid-match.

When Aurélien Marti had to return to the locker room after receiving a 5-minute penalty and a match misconduct, Friborg led 2-1 and had a golden chance to take the lead for good. By failing to score, the Dragons gave the Lions some momentum. “We talked about that in the locker room at the break,” says Joël Genazzi. “Killing that penalty gives you confidence, it creates momentum. We encouraged each other by telling ourselves that we could do it. We knew it. It’s a bit like the “hockey spirit”, if you don’t score at 5 on 3 or during a 5 minute penalty, you lose the match.”

Joël Genazzi speaks from experience, as if it were an unwritten law or a scenario that plays out multiple times. By holding on thanks to its box play and a goalkeeper who released few pucks, the LHC was able to get back into the match and make Friborg doubt.

“After having conceded a lot of goals recently, we wanted to concentrate on defense and now we conceded two goals quickly,” grimaces the Lausanne defender who is playing in attack again this season. “But we reacted very well, Pasche reacted very well. well played. We didn’t produce much offensively, but the box-play held up well. I don’t know if we stole the victory, but we’re proud because it’s always nice to win in Fribourg.”

For the Vaudois, the rest will be played on Sunday at home against Langnau in front of packed stands. Genazzi and his teammates are aware that stupid penalties will have to be avoided. “We had box-play training this evening, so much the better, he quips. But it’s up to us to be better structured on Sunday against Langnau, to go in front of the opposing goal to get these punishments and have power -plays.”