Lausanne is still alive
Lausanne beat the leader thanks to defensive discipline; Important victory from Davos at Geneva;
Lausanne 2 Zürich 1
Lausanne did a great defensive performance against the leader ZSC Lions after a recovery to 0-1 to 2-1.
Lausanne take more than 38 minutes, to score against Zurich at Malley stadium. The 6115 spectators at Malley didn't see a great game. Not many goals, no penalties or even dangerous shots. Although defensive system from both teams was pretty good, they clearly play for the points. Zürich in a rare dangerous shot was the first team to score by Canadian Ryan Keller, assisted by rising star Luca Cunti.
The reaction from home team came at minute 38. Zurich star Luca Cunti touched Codey Bürki with the stick in the face. There was no penalty, but because of a bloodied ice the referee gave the two teams a premature intermission. Only 15 seconds after the interruption of the game Finnish player Juha-Pekka Hytönen made the tie game assisted by Daniel Bang. Five and a half minutes later Caryl Neuenschwander with a great slap put the puck in Lukas Flüeler goal. The ZSC Lions were able to do some sort of turnaround but ex NHL star goalie Cristobal Huet was able to stop Zürich forwards and give three points to home team.
In very end of the game Zürich's Bärtschi and Shannon had unsportsmanlike conduct and Roman Wick a game misconduct penalty.
For the seventh time this season, Lausanne win a game with the result of 2-1. Home team have now just three points less then Geneva, the 8th place.
Geneva 2 Davos 5
For the first time in over two years Davos won again at Geneva stadium. Swedish scorer Paulsson was the star of the game with three goals.
The first period was all Davos. Who didn't know the two teams would think that was Geneva to do the six hours travel on a Bus. By the minute 22 was already 3-0 for visiting team. Two goals by Paulsson one by Sven Ryser.
When Geneva started to play was just to late, even if home team outscored Davos in shots (25-8 the last 40 minutes) they always were inefficient. When the weren't Davos goalie Leonardo Genoni (36 saves) was.
Davos waited for this victory since November 15th 2011, also win two games in row for the first time in last month is a great motivation for visiting team. Geneva must fight for a place in play-offs with Bern and Lausanne. Three teams, two places. The last 8 games will be great to follow here on Eurohockey.