ZSC Lions win game 1:0 and advance to semifinals, face Genève-Servette

In the this all deciding game between the two Lion Teams between ZSC and Lausanne no team was able to create an advantage during the first period. Maybe this was because both coaches knew that the first goal scored could already decide about the outcome of the game as it had been in the previous games. How careful both teams performed was also reflected on the number of  penalties. Only one minor was noted during the starting period. Colby Genoway in the last minute of the game was assessed for Hooking but Zurich couldn't capitalise on the time remaining.

The powerplay that continued in the second period ended without a goal. Two minutes into the game, Caryl Neuenschwander was assessed with a minor for slashing but again the ZSC Lions couldn't capitalise on the one-man advantage. And as if two penalties weren't enough, the Lions got a third chance to better their scoring percentage on the powerplay as Federico Lardi was sent to the bench for Tripping. And with 5 seconds played it was Marc-André Bergeron assisted Ryan Shannon and Severin Blindenbacher who opened the scoring for the home team. In general, ZSC now gained a slight upperhand and didn't give it away until the second break.

Period 3 started where the second had ended, with the home team pushing for a second goal, rather than sustaining the equalising goal. With 49 minutes played Lausanne then had a first chance to play with a one-man advantage as Luca Cunti was benched for Interference but ZSC were keeping it simple, cleaning up in front of the crease. Dan Fritsche gave Lausanne another chance in the 54th minute after Hooking his opponent but Daniel Bang's shot on Flüelers goal was the only dangerous one during the powerplay. With little less than 2 minutes to play, the crowd was standing up, cheering for their home team. Once Lausanne had entered the offensive Zone, Cristobal Huet left his goal for a 6th man. 15 seconds left, Lausanne had taken the time out but the romands were unable to bring themselves into a scoring position and so Lausanne was ejected from the playoffs. A completely unnecessary check from behind into the boards from Thomas Déruns on Patrick Bärtschi displayed the frustration in that moment. Lausanne's chase from a 3:1 deficit wasn't rewarded but the Team that started with little credit showed a lot of heart and will be a squad to watch during the next few years.

With the conclusion of this series, the Lions will face Genève Servette HC starting this Thursday. HC Fribourg Gottéron will start their semifinal series against the Kloten Flyers.

Spectators @Hallenstadion: 10'067

Head Referees: Brent Reiber, Marc Wiegand
Linesmen: Roman Kaderli, Simon Wüst

SOG:
ZSC: 1. 12 / 2. 16 / 3. 10
LHC: 1. 7 / 2. 4. / 3. 8

ZSC Lions: Flüeler; Seger, McCarthy; Stoffel, Bergeron; Blindenbacher, Geering; Bärtschi, Trachsler, Kenins; Keller, Shannon, Schäppi; Nilsson, Cunti, Wick; Fritsche, Senteler, Bastl; Baltisberger

Lausanne: Huet; Gobbi, Leeger; Jannik Fischer, Lardi; Stalder, Genazzi; Reist, Seydoux; Déruns, Savary, Conz; Bang, Hytönen, Antonietti; Setzinger, Genoway, Simon Fischer; Neuenschwander, Froidevaux, Augsburger

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