Thomi Derungs has experienced a lot in his long career as a player and coach. Nevertheless, the semi-final series against HC Ambrì-Piotta also got on the nerves of the head coach of the EVZ U20 Elite Team. Four out of five games ended with a one-goal difference. He was barely able to watch the penalty shoot-out in the decisive last match. Defender Arno Nussbaumer buried the puck in the best striker style to win 1:0. “The series was a great experience for the boys. They learned how to deal with pressure situations, how to deal with disappointment and how to prepare for the next shift and the next game,” Derungs looks back.
This also applies to the two matches of the Finalissima this weekend against EHC Biel-Bienne Spirit in the Patinoire in Fleurier NE, which is foreign to both teams. Puck drop on Saturday at 5 pm, the following day at 4.15 pm. “It has the groove of a finals tournament and will be an additional challenge. But it’s the same for both,” says Thomi Derungs ahead of the first final of his coaching career. He expects high-level encounters with the Seelanders. “I think that will suit us. We proved against Ambrì-Piotta that we can also put up a fight.” In the quarter-final against Genève Futur Hockey and in the semi-final against the Fribourg-Gottéron Young Dragons, Biel impressed not least defensively. They only conceded 10 goals in 8 matches. Even in the regular season (4th place), work in their own slot was the trump card. The 123 goals conceded were the second-lowest figure in the league – behind the qualification winners EVZ (115).
Both games will be broadcast on RED+.
