Second in the standings, Lugano is building much of its success at the still unclimbed Cornèr Arena. In the first four home games, the Bianconeri have in fact obtained four full victories, for a total of 12 points (out of 16 achieved so far). The HCL hadn’t had such a positive start in front of their fans since 2007-08. In that season (which unfortunately ended with the first playouts in the club’s history…) the team won the first 6 home games, beating Ambrì Piotta, Rapperswil, Freiburg, Kloten, Langnau and Basel. However, the fourth and fifth successes came after regulation time. Four full victories in the first four matches on friendly ice had been missing since 2006-07, when the team coached by Ivano Zanatta, holder of the title, began the championship with seven home successes in a row, all 3 points, defeating Langnau, Basel, ZSC Lions, Freiburg, Kloten, Zug and Rapperswil. However, the record dates back to the 2004-05 season, the one of the NHL “lockout”. Led by Larry Huras, Lugano won its first thirteen home games. Bottom team Lausanne stopped the series, imposing a 2-2 draw on the Bianconeri, on 7 December 2004. A goal from Mike Maneluk in the 58’39” however kept the Resega undefeated. The first home defeat came after 17 useful results, at the hands of Kloten, on 15 January 2005: it ended 2-4 for the Aviators. In the quarter-finals of the playoffs, Lugano was unfortunately swept away by Bern 4 to 1, losing three times out of three at home.
Lugano’s Undefeated Streak at Home: A Glimpse into the Past and a Promising Future
Lugano’s impressive start to the season, with four consecutive victories at the Cornèr Arena, has sent shockwaves throughout the league. The Bianconeri’s dominance on home ice has echoes of the 2004-05 season, when Larry Huras’ team won an unprecedented 13 games on the trot. That season, Lugano’s home record was nothing short of phenomenal, with a 17-game undefeated streak that only came to an end at the hands of Kloten.
Fast-forward to the present, and Lugano’s current home form is eerily reminiscent of those heady days. The team’s 12 points from four games is a remarkable achievement, and one that hasn’t been seen since the 2006-07 season. That year, under the tutelage of Ivano Zanatta, Lugano began the season with seven straight home victories, all of which were worth three precious points.
While Lugano’s current home form is certainly impressive, it’s essential to acknowledge that the team’s past success has often been tempered by disappointing playoff performances. The 2004-05 season, for instance, ended with a dismal quarter-final exit at the hands of Bern, with Lugano losing three straight home games.
In the present, however, Lugano’s momentum will be hard to ignore. With a solid foundation on home ice, the team can now turn its attention to building on its impressive start. Can they sustain this level of performance throughout the season, or will they ultimately succumb to the same pitfalls that have plagued them in the past? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – Lugano’s fans have plenty to be excited about, and the Cornèr Arena is once again becoming a fortress that opposing teams fear to tread.
