ZSC Lions first NLA finalists

Playoff semis:

ZSC Lions - EV Zug 5:1

Another ridiculous performance by EV Zug lets Zürich win the series in just four games. Already in the 11th minute Patrik Bärtschi had a shot on goal from a central position which was blocked by the goalie but then he managed to get the rebound into the net. Around "half time" came a complete backout of the guests. First Andreas Ambühl redirected a hard pass by Jeff Tambellini into the right corner, then Reto Schläppi scored twice - through a penalty shot and then after a pass from behind the goal to decide the game and the series. The 47th minute was a symbol for the whole sereis between the two teams. When Zug was in power play they lost the puck to Jeff Tambellini who then had a breakaway where he fired teh puck into the top right corner - a beautiful goal. At least Patrick Opplinger did get the consolidation goal for Zug with a well-placed shot under the crossbar.

Interesting fact that the ZSC Lions, 7th of the regular season, have now swept out second-placed Davos and first-placed Zug for a perfect playoff record of 8-0.  

Zürich wins series 4-0
        
SC Bern - Fribourg-Gottéron 1:2 SO

Bern had the better start into the match and after only a bit more than six minutes Jean-Pierre Dumont already opened the score for them. Shortly after this Bern was in power play but a shorthanded break by Tristan Vauclair tied the game. In the following two period and the 20 minutes of overtime the teams had best chances but the goalies on both sides could show why they brought their teams into the semifinals. So the shootout had to decide. There the it was former Bern player Simon Gamache who scored the decisive goal for Fribourg which now gots their first win in the series.
                
Bern leads 3-1 in the series

Lausanne Langenthal

Playout final:

HC Ambrì-Piotta - Genève-Servette HC 2:3 SO

The spectators had to wait long for the first goal but then it was Ambri player Paolo Duca who get the puck through the legs of the opposing goalie after a rebound of Maxim Noreau's distance shot. Just a few minutes later Servette had a 5 on 3 power play where French international Kevein Hecquefeuille hit an Ambri defender Zdenek Kutlak with his hard shot which then was deflected into the net. Early in teh third Flurin Randegger's well-placed shot into the left bottom corner turned the game around completely. Still the home side had not given up and so it was Zdenek Kutlak who found the right bottom corner and get revenge for the unlucky goal against he was involved in. As no other goals came in the third and also not in the 20 minutes of overtime, the shootout had to bring the winner. Here the guests from Genève were the luckier side and won the series with a sweap.

Ambri now has to face the winner of the NLB final series between Lausanne and Langenthal in the relegation battle.

Servette wins series 4-0

 

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