Four home games, three defeats in a row – only in the 2008/09 season did EVZ get off to a worse start at home in the championship. Back then, an opening victory in their own stadium was followed by four consecutive defeats. The Zug team naturally wants to avoid equaling this negative record, but this task is likely to prove challenging against the Graubünden team: six games, six wins, and a full 18 points – the team led by former Zug player Josh Holden has a perfect record so far in the 2025/26 season.

In addition, EVZ has lost its last four games in a row against HCD. The sweep in last season’s playoff quarterfinals marked the end of the “Dan Tangnes” chapter at EVZ. The successful Zug coach will now be officially bid farewell ahead of the game. In the seven seasons under Tangnes, EVZ reached the playoff final three times, won the cup in 2019, became Swiss champions in 2021 and 2022, and set a points record in the 2020/21 regular season. To give Dan Tangnes a fitting send-off, we ask all match attendees to be in their seats by 7:30 p.m. at the latest.

«I hope people will remember me as a coach who always gave 100%. Open, transparent—and without a doubt, always focused on the interests of the organization.»

Dan Tangnes, former Head Coach EVZ

To ensure that the Norwegian’s departure is also a sporting success from the EVZ’s point of view, the Zug team needs to play with more bite and passion throughout the entire 60 minutes. “We had a long discussion with the whole team after Saturday’s game. All the players had their say,” says head coach Michael Liniger. The line-up in defense is currently very thin, but that should not be an excuse – because energy can be created in other ways. “We have to work solidly in defense and win the puck back quickly. Then we can be creative again in offense.”

On offense, the home team will finally be able to count on Mike Künzle again on Tuesday evening – the forward has served his seven-game suspension and is eligible to play against HCD.