Plsen win at Lugano securing the qualification
Despite a brave final period, Lugano get a crucial defeat
A cynical and expert Plsen takes the Corner Arena
in Lugano, securing the qualification at last 16 of Champions League beating a
now desperate HC Lugano now needed to a double victory in the complicate double
challenge against Finnish JYP.
Albeit with a slight predominance by home team,
the game is level-headed, with a couple of chances for both teams, until the
first power-play: with Taylor Chorney side-lined, the puck runs quick around
the Lugano defence, opening the cage for the finishing of Milan Gulas from the
left corner. Plsen benefit from a double power play following a naïve penalty
for too many men on the ice: at 18:03 Vojtěch Němec.punishes the home team
netting a pass from David Stach.

The second period flows quietly with Plsen
controlling the game and a tired Lugano, unable to turn the amount of what
produced on ice into goals. So a slyly Plsen waits for the right chance to bite
again: at 34:06 Lukáš Kaňák nets the third goal. The inability to score
frustrates Lugano: captain Maxime Lapierre receives a major penalty in a brawl
that leaves home team with two men more on ice, but even then the goal does not
come. Lugano even wastes two great chances with Bertaggia and Walker alone against
goalie Michakov.
Finally Lugano manages to open the score at
minute 51 on power play with a one timer by Gregory Hoffmann on Luca Cunti pass.
The goal gives gas to home side, besieging Plsen cage in the last 5 minutes.
Bravely coach Ireland pull goalie Merzlikins, finding the second goal again
with Hoffman, receiving from behind the goal by Lajunen. Despite a desperate
attack in the last seconds it’s Plsen to take the three points to land in the
last 16