Lausanne Extends Winning Streak with 2-1 Victory over HC Ajoie
Lausanne opened the week with a hard-fought 2-1 win at the Raiffeisen Arena, pushing their streak to four straight victories. The match, supported by our principal partner Vaudoise Assurances, kept the Lions in a tight race for the top of the National League, just two points behind the league leaders. The pace was frantic—players had little time to recover between games, and coach Geoff Ward adjusted the lineup slightly to keep fresh legs on the ice.
A fast start puts Lausanne ahead
From the opening faceoff, Lausanne leaned on its power-play efficiency and created pressure in the offensive zone. The home team earned two early power plays and capitalized on the second, when Dominik Kahun finished a well-worked sequence with a finish from close range. That goal gave Lausanne the lead in the first period, a period in which they dominated the shot clock 11-5. The advantage, however, was short-lived. On Lausanne’s first penalty kill, the visitors found an opportunity, and veteran forward Jeremy Wick tied the game with a strike that caught the defense by surprise on the counterattack.
Within three minutes, Lausanne responded on the power play. Ken Jäger roofed a shot into the top corner to restore the Lions’ lead, signaling once again that the team’s power play remains a formidable weapon at home. By the end of the frame, Lausanne had shown why they’re among the league’s most effective teams on special teams, converting two of their three man-advantage opportunities and pushing the scoreboard to a 2-1 gap after twenty minutes.
Defensive resilience and standout goaltending
The pace slowed in the middle frame as both teams tightened up in the neutral zone, but the result remained in the balance. Connor Hughes was a constant presence between the pipes for Lausanne, stopping 24 of 25 shots and stabilizing the game at critical moments. His performance, backed by a defensive unit that was quick to collapse on shooters and contest every entry, helped Lausanne hold onto a slender one-goal lead through the remainder of the game.
The visitors pressed after the first intermission, hoping to force doubt into the Lausanne crease. They applied sustained pressure and produced several dangerous looks, but Noah Patenaude stood tall for HC Ajoie, turning aside a handful of high-quality chances to keep the game within reach and keep his team within a goal of equality. The goaltender’s late-game saves were key in preserving the visitors’ chances and extending the contest into a tense final stretch.
Lausanne tried to stretch its advantage late in the game with aggressive zone entries and quick cycles, but Patenaude’s steady play, combined with the Lions’ disciplined forecheck, ensured the home side would not provide a turnover gift in the final minutes.
Standings, momentum, and what’s next
With eight wins in ten games, Lausanne remains in second place in the National League standings and continues to chase the pace set by HC Davos. The team’s ability to string together multiple wins, including this 2-1 result, demonstrates depth throughout the lineup and a continued improvement in their special-teams execution, a hallmark of their home success this season.
Looking ahead, Lausanne will face EHC Kloten on Tuesday, October 1, with puck drop at 19:45. They will then travel to EV Zug on Friday for another challenging tilt, followed by a marquee home game against the ZSC Lions on Saturday, October 4, at 19:45. The schedule remains intense, but the Lions have shown a steady resilience that suggests they will be ready for each test as they push toward the league’s upper echelons.
Key performers to watch in the coming days
Dominik Kahun’s early goal and Ken Jäger’s power-play strike highlighted Lausanne’s willingness to attack in transition and capitalize on extended shifts. Connor Hughes’ 24-save performance reinforced the importance of goaltending in tight, physical encounters, while the defensive group’s cohesion continued to prove crucial. As the schedule thickens, leadership from Ward’s rotation and timely contributions from the depth players will be pivotal in sustaining this late-season surge.
