After a mostly successful start to the new season in the Champions Hockey League – with wins against the reigning national champions Luleå (SWE), Grenoble (FRA) and Belfast (NI), as well as eight points from four games – EVZ kicks off its National League campaign on Tuesday evening at 7:45 p.m. in the OYM hall in Zug. The guest: SC Bern.

The Bears impressed in their pre-season, securing three wins from three games against Red Bull Munich, Motor České Budějovice and EHC Basel. In the CHL, Bern claimed the expected victory over Grenoble but fell short up north against Luleå. From their two home games against the Czech teams Mountfield HK (overtime loss) and reigning champion Kometa Brno – who will also visit Zug in October – they collected four points.

But on Tuesday evening in the OYM hall, everything starts from scratch again.

«We’ve learned our lessons from the CHL games, especially from last weekend. Our defensive play was already much more solid against Belfast, but Bern will be another challenge of a different caliber. They are very physical and have an experienced team.»

Michael Liniger, Head Coach EVZ

SC Bern, who finished last season in third place but were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Fribourg-Gottéron, have strengthened their roster for the new campaign with Alexander Iakovenko (EHC Biel-Bienne), Maro Müller (HC Lugano), Mats Alge (SCRJ Lakers) and Emil Bemström (Pittsburgh Penguins). The Swedish NHL forward, whose signing was announced just two weeks ago, is doubtful for the season opener as he is still recovering from an old injury.

EVZ, too, are already battling injury setbacks: Dominik Schlumpf will be sidelined for several weeks, while defensive anchor Lukas Bengtsson is expected to return to the lineup.

There is also good news on the transfer front: forward Sven Senteler has extended his contract, which was set to expire at the end of the season, for two more years until 2028.

In addition to Dominik Schlumpf, head coach Michael Liniger will also have to do without Mike Künzle. The winger is suspended for the first six games of the championship.