The first weekend of the indoor season kicked off in Lucerne on arrival in this picturesque swiss german town one member of the squad seemed to find a new vocation as a ski instructor. Thoughts collected and focus on the first game against HC Olten the Servettiens were keen to gain revenge for a defeat at the end of the outdoor season.

The game started at a high pace with both teams keen to impress their control on the match. It was Olten who struck first with a well worked routine from a defensive restart, however Servette responded quickly with Phillipe Bernhard converting a good pull back from Pascal Zimmerman. Now that Servette where level they began to dominate the match Alexis Pierard finding space in the D to finish coolly in the corner shortly followed by a pinpoint penalty corner from Bernhard, once again it was Servette’s captain who deflected a good pass from Dimitri Gisin beyond the flailing Olten keeper.

Leading 4-1 at half time the team knew that they could not afford to slow down. Servette maintained their high pace from the first half and scored from a free hit just outside the D a quick pass to Ian Roberts who one timed the ball into the empty goal. Bertrand Peny finished off the scoring for Servette with a calmly taken goal to take the score to 6-1. Olten who were desperate in the closing stages pulled their goal keeper and played with six outfield players, although gaining two more goals it was too little too late. Final score 6-3

After a short break and tactical de-briefing from coach Nicolas Chambet Servette were fired up for what always proves to be an encounter which is determined by heart as much as skill against local rivals Black Boys.

The teams came out with all guns blazing and the first few minutes provided good chances from both teams but both failed to convert. Servette won the first corner of the match and a variation to Ian Roberts who powered the ball high into the net, the lead was not held for long as Black Boys replied with a corner of their own bringing the scores level. Good work from Pascal Zimmerman and Robert Hemingway forced another corner for Servette where it was duly dispatched into the postage stamp by Bernhard.

A half time lead of just one goal was not enough and Servette knew it, a frantic start to the second half saw Black Boys restore parity. As the match went on it was clear that the superior fitness and skill of Servette was beginning to pay off with three goals in quick succession from Captain Bernhard then one more from Pascal Zimmerman following some neat skills form Laurent Neri. Good work from Greg Bernet meant Black Boys had little chance of increasing their score and a final corner from Bernhard in the last minutes meant it was an emphatic derby victory for Servette.

The opening to the championship was a whole team success. Many thanks go to David Imhof for being official photographer for the day.

Ian Roberts