National League runners-up Lausanne HC hosted reigning Czech Extraliga champions Oceláři Třinec in their opening encounter of the 2024/2025 CHL season. Both teams, riding high on confidence from their successful previous campaigns, delivered a fierce battle at the Vaudoise Aréna, which had to be decided in overtime.

The first period was slow in terms of offensive action as both teams focused on defence. That resulted in few scoring opportunities. Despite both teams being rewarded a one-man advantage, neither were able to capitalise on the powerplay. The closest chance came early in the game when Damien Riat nearly tapped one past Třinec’s goaltender Marek Mazanec, giving the visitors a proper scare.

Třinec came out stronger in the early minutes of the second period, testing Lausanne’s goaltender Kevin Pasche from all angles, but they still couldn’t find the back of the net. Lausanne soon regained momentum, putting pressure on the Czech team, leading to several penalties in favour of the home side. Though Třinec managed to kill off these powerplays, a high-sticking penalty on Marian Adámek late in the period proved costly. With just 30 seconds left, Lausanne’s Théo Rochette took advantage of the extra space on the ice and lit the lamp sending Třinec into the locker room trailing by one.

The Czechs didn’t wait long for a response as they scored the equaliser early in the final period thanks to a breakaway goal by Libor Hudáček. No more goals followed during regulation, but a crucial high-sticking penalty against Lausanne’s Tim Bozon at the very end of the period set the stage for overtime. Just one minute into the extra game time, Daniel Kurovský tapped in the game-winner, securing a 2-1 victory for the Czech visitors.