Ryan Lasch is a name every Champions Hockey League fan knows. The three-time CHL Champion is the most decorated player in the competition and moved to the Lahti Pelicans ahead of 2023/24 where, unlike former employers Frölunda Gothenburg, he's playing in Europe's elite club ice hockey competition.
Lasch was on the ice for yesterday's 8-3 battering of the Rouen Dragons and picked up 1G + 1A. The game saw eight goals in the span of just 16 minutes with Lahti scoring six of them.
Eight goals in one period mean there's a lot going on on the ice - good and bad. How did that play out?
"We had two teams that were feeling each other out and really went after each other," started Ryan Lasch, "I think that's what's cool about the CHL - there are a lot of goals, there's a lot of drama. Tonight was a lot of fun!"
The atmosphere in Rouen was buzzing. Could the players feel it?
"Absolutely. I've got to give it Rouen, the atmosphere was amazing. They were really into the game and loud from the get-go," he said.
"We were hungry!"Ryan Lasch, Lahti Pelicans
"We had a tough travel - it's not easy getting here from Lahti," he joked, "but it was worth it. We're really happy with the result."
What was the key to so many goals?
"Our offence played really well," he replied, "we were connected, engaged and hungry! After the first 20, we got a little too happy with our lead and stopped playing the way we wanted."
Lahti took a 6-2 in the first period and added two more to make it 8-2 before Rouen made it a 8-3 game in the final frame.
How has Lasch been enjoying his return to Lahti where he played in the 2011/12 season and briefly in 2020/21 also following his high-profile transfer from Frölunda over the summer?
"So far it's been good. I'm very familiar with the club and I enjoy the town. It's something new, something fresh - just nice for me," he said.
"I'm not a very goal-orientated person"Ryan Lasch, Lahti Pelicans
To date, the 36-year-old holds records for most goals scored (41), most assists (93) and most points scored (134). He's already added 1G + 2A in two games so far this season.
What are the CHL's All-time Top Scorer's goals for the season? How many will he be looking to add to his ever-growing list of personal accolades?
"I don't have any goals, I'm not a very goal-orientated person in that aspect," replied Lasch rather surprisingly, "I think we have a great collective group and have great potential. I think it's about growth at the moment."
Where does he see his role on this new team?
"We have a veteran group here so I don't think it's just about the experience I have," he replied.
Lasch didn't finish the game due to a hand injury and spent the rest of the game out. What happened?
"Yeah the injury is bad," he replied, "it's unfortunate it happened, I wanted to play the full 60 in front of this crowd but I just couldn't."
The Lahti Pelicans will return to the CHL next week when they face Vítkovice Ridera on 8 September and Oceláři Třinec on 10 September.