- Lausanne lost in OT to Třinec on GD1
- Bremerhaven came back to win it against Geneva on GD1
- Both teams battled for their national title in the playoff finals last season
This game is Spotlight Game of Game Day 2 and features two clubs that had great domestic seasons last year - earning them their qualification for Europe's elite club ice hockey competition - and backed them up by playoff runs that took them all the way to finals. They both failed at the final hurdle but proved formidable opponents.
But back to the present. After a very close Game Day 1 clash with Oceláři Třinec which had to be decided in OT, Lausanne HC are heading out for their first away game of the 2024/25 season where they will clash with rising DEL stars Pinguins Bremerhaven in northern Germany.
Lausanne played well in front of their home fans, racking up over 20 more shots on goal than reigning Czech Extraliga champions Třinec. They were disciplined, had chances and were active on the puck and the build-up play against a very tough opponent. All they lacked was a decisive goal in the third period and maybe a bit of luck in front of the net as Théo Rochette was and remains the only player to have scored so far this season.
If the Swiss club bring this quality of game to Bremerhaven, the home team will have a lot on their hands. Talking about Pinguins Bremerhaven, the DEL club had a whirlwind of a Game Day 1 against a formidable Genève-Servette - the reigning CHL Champions!
After finding themselves 2-0 down in the first period, the Germans turned their fortune around with three unanswered goals to take a full three points. Matthew Abt scored two points on the night (1G, 1A) as did teammate Jan Urbas who dished out two assists while Dominik Uher and Žiga Jeglič both found the back of the net in the game. More of this and we'll have one heck of a game on our hands!