EVZ saw both sides in the first game: how it can win the semi-final series against the superior winner of the qualification and how it will definitely lose against ZSC Lions. 

The positives first: In the first half, Zug played in a considered manner, took care of the puck and controlled the game. In the first intermission, the visitors even had the edge in terms of results (1:0 lead) and shots on goal (8:6). The ZSC Lions visibly struggled to develop as usual against the compact and well-positioned visitors. There was no difference to speak of.

The negative: The EVZ can’t afford to make many mistakes and take many penalties against the Zurich team. Certainly not gross blunders such as the five-minute penalty plus remaining exclusion against Niklas Hansson for hitting Sven Andrighetto with a stick. The Swedish defender cannot be accused of intent. Irony of fate: In the 15th minute, the same Hansson who decided the game in Zurich’s favor with his penalty had given his team a 1:0 lead – the fourth power play goal in the last two games! After that, Zug had the second goal on the stick several times.

The ZSC Lions’ power play is even better. With an efficiency of 43.75 %, they lead this rating ahead of the much-improved Zug team (39.13 %). Within 199 seconds, Derek Grant and Denis Malgin twice turned a 1:1 into a 4:1 between the 35th and 38th minutes, and Sven Andrighetto, who was hit by Niklas Hansson, picked up an assist three times. After 37:35 minutes, that made it possible for Luca Hollenstein to make his first playoff appearance, having already filled in in the last meeting in the regular season (3:7 on February 29). Dan Tangnes denied after the final whistle that he had also taken Genoni off the ice in the hope of a much-needed away win in Zurich. He wanted to give his regular keeper a short break after eight appearances in 16 days and give the team new impetus: “Luca is also in form. We definitely have to play harder and more courageously on Wednesday!”

Marcus Sörensen (Fribourg) leads the playoff scoring list after the 1st round of the semi-finals with 9 points (2 goals/7 assists). Six players follow in second place with 8 points, including EVZ forwards Andreas Wingerli, Fabrice Herzog (3 goals/5 assists each) and Lino Martschini (2 goals/6 assists) as well as Zurich’s Derek Grant (7 goals/1 assist) and Sven Andrighetto (8 assists). The clear top scorer is Canadian ZSC forward Derek Grant. The 446-time NHL veteran, who celebrates his 34th birthday on Saturday, already has 7 goals on his playoff account and scored three times in the 4th game against Biel as well as on Monday against the EVZ!