Genève-Servette continues its momentum. Victorious in their last four National League matches, the Eagles are also riding the wave of success in the Champions League. After eliminating Lausanne HC in the round of 16 two weeks ago, the Geneva club won the first leg of the quarter-finals 4-0 on Tuesday against the Bremerhaven Pinguins, currently 3rd in the German championship. An opponent who beat GSHC 3-2 on September 6, during the first match of the regular season of the continental competition.
At Les Vernets, the Grenat took advantage of a twist of fate to take the lead. A post saved Geneva goalkeeper Antti Raanta in the 7th minute. In the process, Lennström opened the scoring in a lucky way, from behind the goal, the puck falling behind the back of goalkeeper Franzreb (9th, 1-0). Slightly dominated, Genève-Servette doubled the lead by Granlund, who left alone to face the German goalkeeper, after an ideal service from Praplan, just out of the penalty box (19th, 2-0).
Taking advantage of four minutes of numerical superiority, the GSHC gave itself a breath of fresh air, thanks to an unstoppable wrist shot from Vatanen in the top corner (27th, 3-0). In control, the Garnet managed the end of the match and scored the 4-0 in the 52nd minute by Bertaggia (4-0). Antti Rantta was thus able to celebrate his second shutout on the European scene, after the 5-0 obtained at the Vaudoise Aréna during the round of 16 first leg against the LHC.
The return match will take place on Tuesday December 17 in Germany. Title holders, Genève-Servette have all the cards in hand to validate their ticket for the last four. As a reminder, the cumulative score of the two matches determines who qualifies for the semi-finals. In the event of a perfect tie after the return match, a ten-minute extension is played 3 against 3. If neither team scores during extra time, Genève-Servette and Bremerhaven will decide in a penalty shootout.
Genève-Servette – Pinguins Bremerhaven 4-0 (2-0 1-0 1-0)
Les Vernets, 5419 spectators. Referees: Holm, Wannderstedt; Stalder, Urfer.
Buts: 9th Lennström (Vatanen, Praplan) 1-0, 19th Granlund (Praplan) 2-0, 27th Vatanen (Richard / 5c4) 3-0, 52th Bertaggia (Miranda) 4-0.
Geneva-Servette: Raanta; Vatanen, Le Coultre; Chanton, Bern; Karrer, Lennström; Jacquemet, Vollmin; Miranda, Richard, Bertaggia; Praplan, Manninen, Granlund; Hartikainen, Palve, Pouliot; Cavalleri, Jooris, Loosli. Coach: Jan Cadieux.
Bremerhaven: Franzreb; Eminger, Grönlund; Bruggisser, Abbot; Jensen, Rausch; Battahar, Antonen; Verlic, Jeglic, Urbas; Gortz, Vikingstad, Mauerman; Herrmann, Friesen, Uher; Wejse, Kinder. Trainer: Alexander Sulzer.
Penalties: 2×2′ against Genève-Servette; 3×2′ against Bremrhaven
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