Deprived of its second best scorer Théo Rochette and his defender Andrea Glauser (injured), the LHC made the 9,600 spectators (box offices closed) who came in large numbers wait for the annual operation of throwing stuffed toys, collected on the ice by the juniors of the club in favor of associations.
A five-minute power play without scoring, an empty goal missed by Ken Jäger (24th) – so improbable that some supporters began to drop the comforters, believing in the opener – and a post by Lukas Frick (30th). ): everything suggested that the LHC had missed its chance mid-match. This was without counting on Damien Riat, who did not miss the opportunity after another missed opportunity by Jason Fuchs (31st).
This goal, the 7th of the season for the Lausanne number 9, had the consequence of freeing Geoff Ward’s men, and instilling doubt in the minds of the Emmentalois. American defender Gavin Bayreuther first cleared the top corner of Luca Bolthauser (36th) to score his second goal in the LHC jersey, before Finnish top scorer Antti Suomela knocked out Langnau nine seconds from the second siren.
The Tigers, who did not give up, finally found the fault after two unconverted numerical superiority situations, by Flavio Schmutz (52nd). Insufficient to cast doubt on the Swiss vice-champions, who only needed eight seconds to regain a three-goal lead thanks to Jordann Bougro. The Sierre striker, called up by Lausanne this weekend to compensate for Rochette’s absence, scored his first goal with the LHC.
This victory places the Vaudois in second place in the standings, one point behind leader Davos, which the Lions will host on Thursday after a trip to Bienne on Tuesday.
