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Ice HockeyAjoie lost for the tenth time in a row
HC Ajoie lost 4-2 on Wednesday in Zurich. But the Jurassians stood up to the ZSC Lions for a long time, who made the difference thanks to their power play.
Fabio Arnold’s HC Ajoie (left) showed a good face against Dario Trutmann’s Zurich (right), but it wasn’t enough to win.
Freshfocus
HC Ajoie resisted well in Zurich on Wednesday, but the logic was respected: the ZSC Lions, who made the difference in power play (3 goals at 5 against 4 and 100% efficiency), won 4-2 against the red lantern. A goal from international defender Dean Kukan in the 51ste minute (3-1) and another from Finnish full-back Mikko Lehtonen (54e4-1) definitively buried the hopes of the Jurassians, who had valiantly stood up to the Zurichers until then.
When Justin Azevedo found the back of the net after just seven minutes of play (1-0), we could already have feared the worst for HC Ajoie in this duel of extremes between the great favorite for the Zurich title, winner seven times in a row on its new ice rink, and the National League red lantern. A second goal, just before the break, signed Lucas Wallmark in power play (19e2-0), put ZSC in a comfortable position.
Brennan’s Number
Only twenty-four hours after their disappointment at home against Kloten (1-2 after extra time), an opponent yet within their reach, HC Ajoie had the merit of hanging on against ZSC when their cause seemed lost. advance. The second period for the Jurassians was solid at first (0-0), then the reward, in the form of a first added goal, fell after twenty-five seconds of play in the third period (41e, 1-2). To score, American defender TJ Brennan pulled a rabbit out of his hat. Served by Philip-Michaël Devos at the far post, Brennan, a left-hander, changed his cane to hold it as if he were right-handed before receiving the puck and skilfully slipping it into the back of the net. Quite a number!
HC Ajoie must now build the rest of its complicated season on the good foundations interviewed on Wednesday in Zurich. The best way to regain confidence and not to be left outrageously behind in the standings will of course be to win a few matches soon. However, the calendar is not lenient with the Jurassians. After Zurich, they will face the other cador of the championship on Sunday at 8 p.m.: the leader, Genève-Servette. Another big piece for the HCA.
Zurich – Ajoie 4-2 (2-0 0-0 2-2)
SwissLife Arena, 10,013 spectators.
Referees: MM. Erikson (Sue), Urban (Aut), Obwegeser and Kehrli.
Buts: 7e Azevedo (Roe) 1-0, 19e Wallmark (Lehtonen, Texier/ 5 c 4) 2-0, 41e Brennan (Devos) 2-1, 51e Kukan (Azevedo, Hollenstein/ 5 c 4) 3-1, 54e Lehtonen (Texier, Wallmark/ 5 c 4) 4-1, 60e (59’50) Leduc (6 c 5) 4-2.
Zurich: Waeber; Weber, Lehtonen; Kukan, Geering; P. Baltisberger, Marti; Trutmann; Riedi, Wallmark, Texier; Bodenmann, Lammikko, Hollenstein; Azevedo, Roe, Andrighetto; C. Baltisberger, Sigrist, Sopa; Dim. Coach: Grönborg.
Add: Ciaccio; Fey, Brennan; Leduc, Pilet; Rouiller, Hauert; Pouilly, Thiry; Hazen, devos, smut; Bakos, Gauthier, Bozon; Huber, Frossard, Kohler; Arnold, Macquat, Vouillamoz. Coach: Pesan.
Penalties: 2 x 2′ against Zürich; 3 x 2′ against Ajoie.
Notes: Zurich without Schäppi (injured), Hrubec (supernumerary) or Bachofner (suspended). Ajoie without Asselin, Garessus, Romanenghi, Sciaroni (injured), Derungs or Birbaum (supernumeraries). Crossbar shot: Marti (42e). Shot on the post: Gauthier (59e). Ajoie takes out his goalkeeper in favor of a sixth outfield player (from 57’18 to 59’50).