# Erik Brännström's Shootout Decider Caps Lausanne's 101-Second Derby Comeback

**By Petra Nowak**  \nPublished October 1, 2026  \nUpdated October 1, 2026

> After surviving a heavy hit that saw Jesse Puljujärvi ejected, Erik Brännström scored the solitary shootout goal to cap Lausanne HC's unbelievable 101-second comeback against rival Genève-Servette.

When the final four minutes ticked down at the Vaudoise aréna on Wednesday night, Lausanne HC appeared destined for a humbling derby defeat against lakefront rival Genève-Servette HC. Trailing 5-2 after a game littered with defensive miscommunications and neutral-zone lapses, Geoff Ward’s team looked completely out of answers. What followed over the final three and a half minutes defied standard National League scripts: a 101-second, three-goal blitz erased the margin entirely, setting up Swedish defenseman Erik Brännström—who had earlier survived a game-misconduct hit to the head—to score the sole conversion in a ten-round shootout for a 6-5 victory.

## Early Tumult and Puljujärvi's Game Misconduct

The opening *derby lémanique* of the season was chaotic from the opening faceoff. Lausanne handed Geneva an early advantage when goaltender Kevin Pasche and young defenseman Basile Sansonnens miscommunicated behind their own net, allowing Simas Ignatavicius to sweep in, collect the puck, and wrap it around the cage for 0-1. Lausanne responded when Axel Simic pounced on a rebound left by Geneva keeper Stéphane Charlin in the 10th minute. Roger Karrer briefly restored Geneva’s lead off a slightly deflected slapshot following a clean draw, before Marc Rüegsegger capitalized on another Charlin rebound at the 14-minute mark to tie the contest 2-2.

Moments after Rüegsegger’s equalizer, the game reached its flashpoint along the boards. Geneva’s leading scorer Jesse Puljujärvi—who had posted 11 points through six games coming into the night—delivered a heavy hit to the head of Brännström in the corner. Match officials immediately issued Puljujärvi a game misconduct penalty, ejecting Geneva’s primary offensive threat. Brännström staggered into the locker room for evaluation before returning to the bench later in the evening.

> It was more fear than harm in the end, Brännström acknowledged after the match. It wasn't really a blind spot, but he came from behind another player and I only saw him at the last second. I know I have to be smarter in those situations as well. It could have been worse.

## Stalled Power Plays and Geneva’s Control

Despite gaining five minutes of power-play time—including two full minutes of 5-on-3 advantage—Lausanne failed to capitalize against Sam Hallam’s penalty killers. Geneva used that defensive stand to take complete control during the middle frame.

Fresh out of the penalty box in the 33rd minute, Johnny Kneubühler hunted down a puck deep in Lausanne’s zone and set up Matthew Verboon to put Geneva ahead 3-2. Two minutes later, a botched line change by Lausanne handed Geneva wide-open neutral-zone ice; Sakari Manninen read the gap instantly and found trailing blue-liner Dave Sutter, who snapped a wrist shot past Pasche for 4-2. When Geneva extended the lead to 5-2 in the third stanza, home supporters began heading for the exits.

## The 101-Second Derby Explosion

Lausanne’s dramatic turnaround began with under three and a half minutes remaining. Operating on a power play, Janik Lazar launched a shot past Charlin to cut the lead to 5-3. Geoff Ward immediately pulled Pasche for an extra attacker, and just 28 seconds later, Ahti Oksanen finished off a slick passing exchange to bring Lausanne within a single goal.

Spurred on by a roaring crowd at Malley, Lausanne locked Geneva inside their own crease. With Pasche pulled once again, Drake Caggiula forced home a goal-line scramble at 58:59 to tie the match 5-5.

After a fast-paced three-on-three overtime yielded no goals, the derby went to a shootout. Nine consecutive skaters—five from Geneva, four from Lausanne—were turned aside by fine netminding or missed targets. Sent out as Lausanne’s fifth shooter, Brännström skated in smoothly, froze Charlin with a subtle shoulder dip, and tucked the puck home to complete the comeback.

> I've been in that situation before in my career, Brännström said. When you get the chance to win the game for your team, it's always a special moment. Hearing your name come down from the stands gives you so much energy.

## Evidence-Led Forecast: Navigating Bienne and the Zurich Gauntlet

While the derby victory provides an enormous emotional boost, Lausanne’s schedule immediately presents tough tactical obstacles. On Friday, October 2, Lausanne hosts EHC Bienne at the Vaudoise aréna before traveling to face the unbeaten ZSC Lions at Swiss Life Arena on Saturday, October 3.

### Tactical Patterns and Key Matchups

With key defensemen Michael Fora, Colin Miller, and Aurélien Marti all currently sidelined, Ward will continue leaning heavily on Brännström to carry heavy minutes and push transition play from the back line. Up front, the top trio of Ahti Oksanen, Jason Fuchs, and Damien Riat—grouped together in the absence of forward Antti Suomela—must serve as Lausanne's primary scoring driver. The decisive matchup on Saturday will test whether Lausanne’s depleted defensive unit can withstand Zurich’s high-volume forecheck and cycle play without committing structural errors.

### Primary Uncertainties

While Lausanne showed incredible heart against Geneva, relying on 6-on-5 surges is statistically fragile. Miscommunications between Pasche and his blue-liners directly led to early Geneva goals, while poor line changes almost cost Lausanne the game entirely. If Bienne or Zurich punish those communication lapses early in the upcoming fixtures, Lausanne cannot reasonably rely on another late statistical miracle to salvage points.

## Sources

- [blick.ch](https://www.blick.ch/fr/sport/hockey/lausanne-hc-erik-braennstroem-a-vecu-un-derby-lemanique-mouvemente/7df90f7) — original
- [rtn.ch](https://www.rtn.ch/rtn/Sport/Hockey/20260930-NL-Lausanne-s-offre-une-belle-remontee-dans-le-derby-lemanique.html) — original
- [lausannehc.ch](https://lausannehc.ch/2026/09/30/derby-lemanique-a-la-vaudoise-arena/) — original
- [europesays.com](https://www.europesays.com/ch-fr/329480/) — original