That’s it, the National League final begins this Tuesday! A Lions duel which will pit the ZSC Lions against the Lausanne Hockey Club. We went to take the temperature at the Vaudoise Aréna.
And we’ve been saying it for a week, it’s a historic final for Lausanne. The first in 102 years of history. It’s also something new for a lot of players. We also feel a lot of impatience in the locker room. “We’re finally happy,” exclaims Jason Fuchs. “There are a lot of people waiting for this, us too. It’s a long season, but it’s exactly where we wanted to be. We’re ready.”
However, there is no question of making small crosses on the calendar for the Lausanne striker. “We also took advantage of putting hockey aside for a bit, it felt good.” Especially after “quite tough” series, notably against Davos.
With the supporters who celebrated them after their qualification, the City’s enthusiasm for these matches and the pressure mounting, can the Lions manage not to think about it all the time? To sleep peacefully?
Andrea Glauser, for whom this will also be the first final, is not getting carried away either and clearly displays her ambitions.
During the regular season, the Lausanne team only won once, after penalties, against Zurich. But the other three confrontations were not poor performances either. ©PostFinance/KEYSTONE/Laurent Gillieron
Back to work
After their qualification in five matches, the Lausanne residents were entitled to a little rest before resuming training. Sessions focused in particular on tactics, “we looked at what we should do,” explains Andrea Glauser. On the ice Monday morning, special situations were worked on. And, as in the two previous series, it is mainly a question of adjustments.
All in a studious atmosphere. “As soon as we do the exercises, we’re focused,” says Andrea Glauser. “But I’m a guy who laughs a lot, so when we have a little break, we try to laugh together.” An element of pleasure in training is therefore essential.
A serene atmosphere, which has reigned since the start of the season. When the Lions had a dark streak with a significant number of consecutive defeats, they did not flinch. When their 3rd place in the ranking was confirmed, there was no excess of joy. A calm that has been built throughout these last few months and which is more than useful at the moment.
A matter of patience
The ZSC Lions have plenty of experience in finals. Since the creation of the club in 1930, Zurich residents have participated in 36 finals, for 9 titles. But the LHC is not going completely into the unknown. Some players have already played this type of match. This is particularly the case for Marco Pedretti, who played for the title with Zurich, precisely, in 2022. What do they bring to their teammates?
There were emotions during these playoffs. In Davos, the series was eventful, especially after a few disciplinary incidents, and we had to stay focused on 7 matches. In Fribourg, there was this famous meeting lasting 107 minutes, four consecutive victories and qualification. What have the players learned, stored, from these two series in preparation for the final?
From now on, the goal will be to keep as cool a head as possible.
Being in the right state of mind, the people of Lausanne can check the box, it’s done. But let’s talk technical. Since the start of the season, Zurich has been given as the big favorite for the title. Everyone agrees that the ZSC Lions have no weakness. So what will we have to look for to try to impose ourselves?
Discipline will also be essential. “It can happen to have penalties, and when there are, it will be up to everyone to block the shots to kill the penalty, analyzes Jason Fuchs. And on the contrary, if we are lucky enough to have powerplays , it will have to go in. The team that wins the special situations will have a big advantage. So it’s up to us to try to win them while remaining solid defensively.
The clash between the two Lions clubs will begin this Tuesday. First match at 8 p.m. at the Swiss Life Arena. Lausanne HC will return to its audience on Thursday for Act II which will be played to a sold-out crowd at the Vaudoise Aréna. And note that away matches will be broadcast on the videotron of the Lausanne ice rink. Free entry.