In a gripping encounter on March 25, 2025, HC Ajoie confronted Lugano in the relegation play-out, ultimately falling short with a 2-1 defeat. This marked the fourth consecutive loss for Ajoie, culminating in a disappointing series result of 4-2.
Previously, the team found themselves in a precarious position, needing to draw on memories from two years ago when they narrowly escaped relegation against La Chaux-de-Fonds. Such experiences did not alleviate the pressure this season as they prepare to face HC Viège, the Swiss League champions, in the upcoming promotion/relegation series.
The match opened with a decisive moment in the 20th minute. David Aebischer found the net for Lugano during a power play, swiftly defining the tempo of the match. Tensions built in Porrentruy, as Ajoie sought to recover from the early deficit. Although Pierre-Edouard Bellemare successfully converted a power play at the 30-minute mark to temporarily level the score, the joy was short-lived.
The decisive blow came in the 46th minute when Jesper Peltonen dashed the hopes of Ajoie fans by scoring the winning goal. His long-range shot pierced through the chaos in the Ajoie defense, leaving goalie Benjamin Conz with little time to react, and handing Lugano the crucial win.
Despite the loss, Ajoie's players, including Bellemare and teammate Kevin Fey, acknowledged the harsh reality of their offensive struggles. "We simply didn’t score enough five-on-five goals," Bellemare concluded, emphasizing the team's overwhelming challenge in translating opportunities into points. Fey echoed his sentiments, stating, "Tonight, they scored a five-on-five goal, we scored none, and we lost 2-1. That perfectly summarizes the series." Aboje's inability to break through during regular play became their undoing throughout the series, leading to an inability to capitalize strategically when it mattered.
The game garnered attention not only for the on-ice action but for the sparse crowd of 3,326 spectators—one of the lowest turnouts of the season—adding a somber note to Ajoie's diminishing playoff hopes.
As fans left the arena, Ajoie’s focus swiftly shifted to preparing for their crucial series against HC Viège, set to begin April 1, 2025. Both Bellemare and Fey expressed their resolve to regroup and mentally prepare for the matches ahead. Bellemare, reflecting on former relegation battles, stated, "I’ve played in a relegation playoff before in Sweden eighteen years ago. At the end of the day, it’s all just hockey, and we need to win—period."
The impending games against the Swiss League champions offer an opportunity for redemption. Following a hard-fought playoff against Lugano, Ajoie recognizes the need for tactical adjustments and renewed vigor as they face a fresh challenge.
In contrast, Lugano celebrated their successful retention in the National League, buoyed by their comeback from a 0-2 deficit in Game 3, wherein they dramatically reversed the match's fate in the final seconds. This resilience bolstered their confidence as they triumphed through the series and gained momentum they aim to carry into future competitions.
As Ajoie prepares for their rematch against Viège, lessons learned from this series may serve as crucial building blocks. The journey ahead will require not only physical strength but mental fortitude, as they leverage hard-earned experiences towards the goal of maintaining their status within the National League.
With high stakes at play, both teams understand the pressure to perform. The upcoming week will surely be filled with strategic preparation, focusing on converting opportunities into advantageous outcomes.
Ultimately, the saga of HC Ajoie reflects the demanding nature of sport, where each game carries weight, every goal counts, and tomorrow's match-ups are saturated with hope for a different outcome.
