After three weeks of the Olympics, the National League is back in action – and in the middle of the decision-making phase. The tension is high this February for the two play-off spots. And EVZ is right in the thick of it. Much was good about the restart on Tuesday against Fribourg, but Benoît Groulx’s team was unable to prevent the 3-1 defeat against the current second-placed team in the table. That’s why points are urgently needed tonight against a direct rival, EHC Biel.

With a ten-point deficit and only five games remaining, the chances of direct play-off qualification and thus 6th place are probably only theoretical. EVZ must therefore protect itself from the bottom of the table and fight for the best possible starting position for the pre-playoffs. If they manage to win in Biel today, their chances of doing so are very good. The Seelanders are currently in 11th place and are fighting against an abrupt end to the season in a fortnight’ time.

In the three head-to-head meetings so far this season, the home team has always triumphed. The Zug team responded to the 2-0 defeat in Biel at the end of September with a 4-3 and 4-0 home win. They have therefore won their last two games against the Seelanders, and that should not change tonight. Like the EVZ, the EHCB has also changed coach during the course of the season. Christian Dubé has been at the helm in the Tissot Arena since mid-January.

Coach Benoît Groulx can also count on the return of Raphael Diaz and Lukas Bengtsson on Friday. Andreas Wingerli, Fabrice Herzog, Samuel Guerra and Nic Balestra are still absent.