For the first time this season, HC Bienne won a victory after being led to the mark. In Zug, everything started badly for Martin Filander’s men, missing their skates for a third and forced to chase after a one-goal deficit. It was in the last quarter of an hour that they managed to make the difference.
This duel between two teams which are not currently at their best, however, quickly shifted in favor of the Zougois. Determined to bounce back after their three defeats suffered in the last four matches, the players from Central Switzerland dictated their law with authority during the first period. Monopolizing the puck, they largely dominated their guest from Bienne (4 losses in the last 5 games) for a quarter of an hour.
This superiority in the game logically led to Daniel Vozenilek opening the score in the power play (3rd). The Czech striker took advantage of a gap from goalkeeper Harri Säteri, and the excitement of his mitt in this case, to give his colors the advantage.
Not really in their business (19 shots to 5 at the end of the first third), the Zealanders gradually returned to better intentions. Alexander Yakovenko (4 against 5) and Johnny Kneubuehler (shot on the post) were close to restoring parity before the break. It was ultimately Viktor Lööv who achieved it before mid-match. The Swedish defender, with great mischief, erased Senteler before deceiving Tim Wolf with a wrist shot (26th).
The difference was made a quarter of an hour from time. Already at the origin of the 1-1, Yakovenko unleashed a strike which Jérémie Bärtschi used to catch Wolf out. Biel then held on to its lead until Kneubuehler delivered his own in the empty cage (59th).
HC Bienne will try to confirm this victory on Sunday when they host Kloten.
Zug – Biel 1-3 (1-0 0-1 0-2)
Bossard Arena. 7073 spectators. Referees: MM. Stöbel, Kova, Altmann and Schlegel.
Buts: 3e Vozenilek (Kovar, Hansson/5 c 4) 1-0, 26e Lööv (Heponiemi, Yakovenko) 1-1, 46e Bärtschi (Yakovenko, Müller/5 c 4) 1-2, 59e Kneubuehler (cage vide) 1 -3.
Zoug: wolf; Geisser, Carlsson; Hansson, Muggli; Schlumpf, Stadler; Rivia; Vozenilek, Kovar, Wingerli; Simion, Olofsson, Duke; Biasca, Senteler, Künzle; Antenen, Leuenberger, Eggenberger. Entraineur: Tangnes.
Bee: Säteri; Stampfli, Lööv; Burren, Yakovenko; Christe, Grossmann; Brunner, Andersson, Cunti; Hofer, Bärtschi, Rajala; Heponiemi, Tanner, Kneubuehler; Müller, Christians, Bachofner; Slipper. Entraineur: Filander.
Penalties: 4 x 2′ against each team.
Notes: Zug without Genoni, Hofmann (injured), Bengtsson nor Martschini (ill). Biel without Haas, Janett, Sallinen and Zryd (injured). Shot on Kneubuehler’s post (20th). Time out requested by Zug (58th). Time out requested by Zug (57th), who removes his goalkeeper in favor of a sixth outfield player (58’16 to 58’47 and from 58’56 to 60’00)
