Outsiders close to qualifcation for the NLA finals

23 Mar 2012 | Dennis Mende

Zürich and Bern both won also game 3 and could sweep their opponents out of competition on Sunday; Genève in playouts also with a 3-0 lead

Playoff semifinals:

EV Zug - ZSC Lions 2:3 OT

In the first period the home fans saw a strong performance of their team with best chances - one time Severin Blindenbacher had to get the puck away from the gooal line for his already beaten goalie. But off course, if you don't score, you can't blame anyone for suddenly laying behind which happend in the 24th when Andraes Ambühl scored for Zürich. After a nice pass from behind the goal, Ambühl only had to chose a corner. Eight minutes later Luca Cunti's pass found Patrik Bärtschi who with a perfect shot in the right top corner doubled the guest's lead. Now Zug had to do something and they did! With less than three minutes to go in the middle period, NLA regular season top scorer Damien Brunner made a long pass to Corsin Casutt who was left alone in front of the goal and cut the lead. Just two minuets later Patrick Fischer even tied the match. This time the goal was more than strange. After a long shot the ZSC goalie had to let through the puck - clearly his mistake. The third period ended without goals and so the match went into overtime. There the guests were soon shorthanded but with a break they came in front of the box where Jeff Tambellini was stopped by the goalie while Andreas Ambühl with his second of the night used the rebound to decided the match and give his team a comfortable 3-0 lead in the series.

Zürich leads 3-0 in the series

Fribourg-Gottéron - SC Bern 1:6

Already in the third minute of play Joel Kwiatkowski used a pass from Jean-Pierre Dumont to open the score for the guests from Bern. Not even two minutes later Byron Ritchie extended the lead for the guests in a power play opportunity. Around "half time" Bern's Caryl Neuenschwander used a pass from Joel Vermin to get the puck through the legs of former NHL goalie Cristobal Huet. But the result became even worse and worse for Fribourg. Early in the third Etienne Froidevaux won the puck and get it past Huet into the short corner. A few minutes later Joel Vermin even made it 0-5. With 1:45 to go in the third Michael Knoepfli earned the consolidation goal of his team but not even a minute later Ivo Rüthemann made it 1-6. Now Bern can win the series at home on Saturday.

Bern leads 3-0 in the series

Playout finals:

Genève-Servette HC - HC Ambrì-Piotta 4:0

Everything looks like Servette can avoid the relegation battle with the NLB winner. At home they also decided game three against Ambrì very comfortably. Man of the match for Genève was French international Kevin Hecquefeuille who scored twice and made one assists. The other goals came from Goran Bezina and Rico Fata. Now Servette can sweep Ambrì in their away game on Saturday.

Servette leads 3-0 in the series