In a thrilling encounter at the Lonza Arena, HC Ajoie pulled off a remarkable comeback to defeat HC Viège 5-4 in overtime, leveling the promotion/relegation series at one game apiece. Just 20 seconds into the extra period, Louis Robin scored the decisive goal, stunning the home crowd and igniting celebrations among the Ajoie fans.
The match, which took place on April 3, 2025, saw Ajoie trailing 3-0 after just 15 minutes, a precarious position following a devastating start. Viège capitalized early, with Sandro Forrer opening the scoring in the fourth minute, followed by Dario Burgener doubling the lead just five minutes later. Yannick Brüschweiler then made it 3-0 during a two-man advantage at the 15-minute mark, leaving Ajoie reeling.
Despite the early onslaught, Ajoie showed resilience. Reto Schmutz finally got the visitors on the board with a goal at 19:19 of the first period, providing a glimmer of hope. Following a shaky first period, Ajoie coach Greg Ireland made a pivotal decision to replace starting goalie Benjamin Conz with Damiano Ciaccio, a move that would pay dividends as the game progressed.
The second period saw Ajoie rally back with renewed vigor. Joel Scheidegger scored at 31:03, narrowing the gap to 3-2, and just over a minute later, Jonathan Hazen leveled the score at 3-3, sending the Ajoie bench into a frenzy. The momentum had shifted, and the visitors were now firmly in the game.
As the third period unfolded, Ajoie took the lead for the first time when Philip-Michaël Devos scored at 43 minutes, making it 4-3. However, Viège was not done yet. Jacob Nilsson equalized for the home team at 48 minutes, forcing the match into overtime.
With the tension palpable in the arena, the overtime period began, and it took only 20 seconds for Robin to score the winning goal, assisted by Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. The swift finish capped off a sensational comeback for Ajoie, who had been down and out just a short while earlier.
Reflecting on the match, Ajoie’s coach Greg Ireland praised his team’s character. "We showed great resilience tonight. After a rough start, we managed to regroup and play our game. This win is a testament to our belief and determination," he said.
Viège, on the other hand, was left to ponder what could have been. Despite their strong start, they could not maintain the momentum. Coach Heinz Ehlers acknowledged the need for improvement. "We started well, but we need to learn how to finish games. We can’t let our guard down like that," he stated after the match.
The series now stands at one game each, with the next match scheduled for Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Porrentruy. Both teams will be looking to gain the upper hand as they head into this crucial third game.
As the excitement builds, fans are reminded of the intensity and unpredictability that playoff hockey brings. With both teams displaying moments of brilliance and areas needing improvement, the stage is set for an electrifying continuation of this gripping series.
In summary, Ajoie’s victory not only ties the series but also sets the tone for what promises to be a hard-fought battle in the upcoming matches. Stay tuned as this thrilling saga unfolds.
