Swedish side Färjestad Karlstad fell to Swiss side ZSC Lions Zurich in yesterday's Champions Hockey League Final, failing to score a late equaliser to keep their hopes of lifting the European Trophy alive. A very close game saw both teams push and try to score, but the visitors were just unable to keep the strong Zurich side at bay, ultimately losing 2-1 in the final game of the 2024/25 season.
An interview after losing a game like this isn't the position any of the players heading into the 2025 CHL Final want to be in and few would have handled it as well as Färjestad's Maxime Lagacé who kept his composure and emotions at bay.
"It's been an amazing run and I hope to be a part of the competition again next year"Maxime Lagacé, Färjestad Karlstad
How did he see the game and result? "It's disappointing coming this far and coming up with nothing," he started, "but we really fought hard and played a really good team."
The Canadian goaltender stopped all but two of Zurich's many shots on net and was awarded Best Player of Färjestad. Is that a win on a personal level at least?
"It's nice but it's the title we're after," he summarised, "we've really enjoyed being part of the CHL this season and we play hockey for the games like tonight."
What now? Färjestad still have their domestic season to focus on. "Yeah, now we have to go back home and regroup, focus on the positives."