Unsurprisingly, Zurich secured its place in the Champions Hockey League final on Tuesday. The Lions shared the stake with Genève-Servette (3-3) and will face the Swedes of Färjestad Karlstad in the final.
Net winners of the first leg at Vernets a week earlier (6-1), the Zurich Lions did not force themselves at home to eliminate the holders of the trophy, but they risked having to play the final in Sweden.
After an initial third without a goal, the young talent of the Lions Rohrer was the first to hit the mark with a splendid cross shot into the top corner (22nd). The Zurich residents then did not hesitate to make the break at 5 against 3, when Andrighetto pierced Mayer mercilessly (37th).
But Geneva did not want to go without a fight. Praplan reduced the score to 40th, also in power play. The Zurich residents undoubtedly imagined taking cover with Kinnunen’s goal from the start of the third third (44th), but Bertaggia responded straight away (45th). The GSHC even made its hosts tremble until the end with the equalizer of Jooris in numerical superiority (54th).
-But the final will still take place in the lair of the Swiss champions, on February 18. Better ranked than Färjestad throughout this continental competition, Zurich has indeed won the right to host.
ats/adav
Swiss
