The Rapperswil-Jona Lakers have to defrost the ice. The season ends with a 3:3 after overtime against Ambri-Piotta, which was not enough to extend the season.
07.03.2025, 00:14
07.03.2025, 09:34
SDA
The Lakers' frustration at the end was huge. "What do I feel? Just a lot of emptiness," said captain Nico Dünner. "No, it's absolutely not possible to take anything positive from the situation at this moment."
Until 74 seconds before the end, everything pointed to the season continuing for the Rapperswil-Jona Lakers - with a second play-in round against Kloten. But then Ambri played the last three minutes without a goalie, reduced the deficit to 2:3 in the 59th minute and secured their place in the play-in round with Philippe Maillet's overtime goal in the 79th minute.
The end reflected the Lakers' season: ups and downs without end. Leaders in October, almost last in December, then euphoria after the change of coach, which quickly evaporated again. Last Saturday, the Lakers scored 50 seconds before the end without a goalie through Nicklas Jensen to make it 2:1 against Davos. This late goal brought Rapperswil into the play-in in extremis. Five days later, the season ended just as dramatically.
The search for a new head of sport
"A turbulent end to a completely turbulent season," says Nico Dünner. Markus Bütler, the Lakers' managing director, mourned the chances, because "we were better, should have won, were so close. But in the end we weren't good enough."
The miracle of 2021 will not be repeated for the Lakers. Back then, the Lakers reached the quarter-finals via the pre-playoffs and then stormed through to the semi-finals. In 2022 and 2023, Rapperswil-Jona failed to reach the quarter-finals - two years ago after finishing third in qualifying. Now the Lakers have missed the playoffs for the second time in a row.
A new course must now be set. Just last week, the departure of sporting director Janick Steinmann to Lugano was announced. The Lakers have to find a new sports director quickly. And then they have to decide whether Johan Lundskog, who was promoted from assistant to head coach in December, will remain coach next season.
