Cardiff Devils’ hopes of recording a second Champions Hockey League win over Lausanne were dealt a blow as the Swiss side ran out 2-0 victors.
It was a disappointing night, but there could be positives that coach Jarrod Skalde could take, despite seeing his team shutout for a second time in this season’s campaign.
There wasn’t much to separate to the two sides in the first period, although Lausanne certainly had the better of the opportunities. While Cardiff matched them in most areas, they didn’t really trouble the home goal.
Trevor Cox went close in the second period, but managed to miss an open goal as Devils tried to give themselves the advantage.
Matt Register’s unfortunate error sealed the win for Lausanne (PHOTO: Diego Cabellos)
That was to prove costly as Lausanne seized the initiative on the powerplay, with Lukas Frick tucking the puck home following Christoph Bertschy’s assist.
It was a very different game to the one in Cardiff the week before that saw the Devils look more than comfortable against the might of the Swiss League side.
They pushed in the third to get the leveller and stayed very much in the game, with Mac Carruth doing his bit in the Cardiff net to repel any pucks coming his way.
However, it was a moment to forget for Matt Register in the final minute after Carruth was pulled when he played a slack pass that slid agonisingly into his own net, confirming Lausanne’s three points and important win for them in this competition.
Cardiff now turn to domestic matters when the Elite League starts soon and while they can take something from their European games, they’ll feel they might have got more from this one.
