Ice hockey: victory for Bienne in overtime against Friborg

Lars Leuenberger’s eleventh match on the Fribourg-Gottéron bench and still no sign of a defeat in regulation time. Saturday in Bienne, where the technician had replaced Antti Törmänen during the 2021-2022 season, his team however lost in overtime (3-2), like Friday against Langnau, after a two-speed match.

Because the Dragons showed absolutely nothing for 30 minutes, totally dominated by the much more enterprising Zealanders. The difference in level was such that one almost wondered if Friday’s defeat had annihilated all of Friborg’s confidence. Or if the accumulation of matches with the Spengler Cup was starting to take its toll.

It was Yanik Burren (13th, 1-0) with a surprising backhand shot and Nicolas Müller in power play (17th, 2-0) who gave Martin Filander’s men two steps ahead. Outnumbered, Anthony Greco (22nd) could have tripled the lead, but his delivery hit the post of a beaten Reto Berra.

Two goals in 71 seconds

Gottéron relaunched with a seemingly innocuous shot from a tight angle from Benoît Jecker (35th, 2-1) on which goalkeeper Luis Janett may have regrets. Especially since the Fribourgeois equalized 71 seconds later, in a power play, by the indestructible Julien Sprunger (36th, 2-2). At the end of the period, Nicolas Müller (38th) thought he scored a double on an involuntary backheel, but his success was canceled for an obstruction on Reto Berra.

Ultimately, the two teams had to wait until overtime to decide between themselves. Lias Andersson (65th, 3-2) delivered the Tissot Arena, which was sold out, with numerical superiority.

Tuesday, Fribourg.Gottéron will host Zug while Bienne will travel to Bern for a cantonal derby.