1 goal, 1 point – that’s the EVZ’s haul so far in the new year. Insufficient and, above all, not in line with expectations. “Defensively, we implemented our plan against Kloten, but the general reaction didn’t materialise,” says Head Coach Michael Liniger. “We clearly need a collective improvement against Ambrì. We have to accept the challenge and get back on track”. The only scorer for Zug in the new year so far has been Andreas Wingerli.

With 17 rounds to go in the qualifiers, EVZ is in 8th place – just two points off 6th place, which means direct playoff qualification, with one game less. With two games less, they are six points off 5th place. Zug still have it in their own hands to avoid the play-offs, but they need consistency to do so. The central Swiss have never been able to string together three wins in a row in the National League this season. However, there were also three defeats in a row: in mid-November against Davos, Lugano, and Lausanne.

The game against Ambrì-Piotta also marks the start of another mammoth programme for the EVZ: seven games in twelve days await Michael Liniger’s team. After another away game on Thursday against Fribourg, the first of four home games in a row follows on Saturday.

A highlight is scheduled for Tuesday, 13 January: EVZ welcomes Swedish champions Lulea Hockey to the OYM hall in the Champions Hockey League semi-final. It will be the Zug team’s second semi-final appearance since 2023, when they were beaten by eventual winners Tappara Tampere (FIN). The first leg will be the second encounter this season with the Swedes. In August, the EVZ claimed a win after overtime in the far north to kick off the CHL campaign. Next week, the Kolinstädter would also like to create a good starting position for the second leg on Tuesday, 20 January in Lulea in order to make it to the final for the first time.