A reunion for a crucial issue. HC Ajoie will do battle with La Chaux-de-Fonds this Thursday evening in the National League/Swiss League promotion/relegation play-off. The first act is played at 8 p.m. in Porrentruy (live on RFJ from 7:45 p.m. with Michael Chételat). “We all want to start this series,” says Julien Vauclair. The Vouivres coach ensures that the disappointment of the play-out defeat against Langnau is digested in the “yellow and black” ranks.
Fewer foreigners on the ajoulot side…
The HCA is forced to win this play-off if it intends to keep its place in the National League. “You have to be strong enough mentally not to think about the danger of relegation. The important thing is really that we manage to play our game, ”continues Julien Vauclair. The former defender wants to see a team that is “confident” and takes initiative in this series. “We have to let go of the horses,” he says. Facing an opponent he has not faced for more than two years (last duel on March 3, 2021), Ajoie will only be able to field 4 foreigners, against 6 during the regular season and the play-outs. “There is the positive side and the negative side. It is clear that having to remove two of your top players in the line-up is not something obvious. On the other hand, we have the possibility of making choices which are luxury choices, ”explains the technician ajoulot.
More on the Neuchâtel side
In the opposite camp, the situation is different. La Chaux-de-Fonds skated throughout the season with 2 foreigners. Les Abeilles will therefore be able to double this quota against their Jura neighbor. Not sure, however, that their coach Louis Matte is betting on this option this Thursday. “You have to know if I’m intrinsically improving my team,” he says mysteriously. The Quebecer prefers to divert the discussion. “The most difficult part will be to find the emotions that we released after the final”, breathes the technician of the Larches. Emotions, there will certainly be many during this barrage. /msc