Odense Bulldogs suffered a narrow 2-4 defeat against defending Champions Hockey League champions ZSC Lions on Thursday night, despite a strong performance. The match, played on Odense’s home ice, saw the Danish team push the Swiss champions to their limit.

The decisive moment came with less than five minutes remaining when ZSC Lions scored to take a 3-2 lead, shortly after Odense missed a penalty shot. The final goal, making it 4-2, was scored into an empty net as Odense risked everything by pulling their goalkeeper.

The first period ended goalless, but Sven Andrighetto, a top scorer in the World Cup, put the Swiss ahead early in the second. Odense responded swiftly, with Joakim Thelin scoring from a pass by Markus Jensen. Derek Grant then restored the lead for Zurich, putting Odense under pressure.

Adding to Odense’s challenges, their starting goalie, Niklas Lundström, left the game due to a knee injury. However, reserve Frederik Søgaard stepped up with a strong debut, keeping his team in contention.

In the third period, Jonathan Brinkman set up Thelin for his second goal, leveling the score once more. Brinkman then earned a penalty shot, but failed to convert, and Thierry Bader capitalized at the other end for Zurich.

Odense, with two points from three Champions League games, now prepares to face Austrian side Klagenfurt, featuring Danish players Sebastian Dahm, Jesper Jensen Aabo, and Mathias From, on Saturday.