Eurolanche

Duchene in Switzerland just average

After leaving the Swedish team of Frolunda, Matt Duchene decided to play in the Swiss elite league. The reason to leave of Sweden was the rule restricts the present of the NHL players in the league. The recap of Duchene’s time in Frolunda could be read here. Then, Duchene signed a deal with one of the smallest teams in Europe – HC Ambri-Piotta. In the town lives just about 500 people and the stadium has a far away from being luxury, but this club belongs to the most favorite in Switzerland.

• Interview: Duchene speaks in Switzerland
• Photo gallery: Duchene suffered huge loss
• Exclusive photo gallery of Matt Duchene

Duchene played in 4 games, scored 2 goals and had 3 assists. His first game was played six days before Christmas and his team lost to the last team of the league 0:4. In the next game against Geneva he assisted two times and scored the tying goal and also helped to score the winning goal with the assist. His team won in a tough game 4:3 and it was great 3-point performance for Duchene.

His debut at home crowd was before Christmas against EHC Biel, where he scored a goal on 3:4 and also assisted. Ambri won this dramatic game in the shutout. The last game for Matt was against Davos. Davos “destroyed” Ambri 6:1, no point for our #9. Overall, he didn’t gain a point in two of four games in Switzerland – in the first and in the last.

At all, his performance was average. He didn’t show anything special and he could show more. If we look on his time in Sweden, we can say he just continued in average performance. We can at least hope that the game pace gave Matt an advantage against players, who didn’t played anywhere during the lockout.

Duchene did not play on the day, when the end of the lockout was announced. He came at the ice and said goodbye to all fans.

Matt also played for national team of Canada at the Spengler Cup at the end of year. In four games he gained 5 points (2+3). He helped Canada to reach the finals with his 3 point game in semifinals. Duchene was the best center of the tournament. Comparing to his engagement in Sweden and Switzerland it was great international performance.

• Duchene and Canada win Spengler Cup