Now it’s time for the crucial qualifying phase: which stars perform at SCB – and which don’t

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Before the big match against Davos three weeks ago, SCB coach Jussi Tapola (49) said: “The top players must step forward.” Did they do it? “We had top players who delivered, and we also had the fourth line with Sablatnig, Schild and Ritzmann, who played well and scored goals,” said the Finn. When asked which stars have impressed in the last five matches, of which SCB has won four, Tapola makes no fuss. “We have to be a four-line team. And of course we need top players who lead the way in the locker room, on the bench and on the ice.

When we talk about top players in the National League, we mainly think of foreigners. One person stands out in Bern: Dominik Kahun (28). The top player among the top players at SCB has delivered. In the last five games, the German was involved in more than half of the goals (8 out of 14). The SCB’s offensive depends on its creative leader and top scorer.

There was finally some relief for goalkeeper Adam Reideborn (32, Sd), with representative Philip Wüthrich saving the win in his comeback against HCD (4:2) and celebrating a shutout against Kloten (3:0). But Reideborn could also be counted on again, after he had already relaxed.

Knight isn’t doing enough offensively

Patrik Nemeth (32, Sd) is a rock in defense. In the win in Rapperswil-Jona (4:3 nP), the defensive specialist scored as a bonus to make the score 3:3. Colleague defender Ville Pokka (29, Fi), who was taken over from Biel until the end of the season, also stands for solid craftsmanship.

Joona Luoto (26) convinces in the storm. With his movement towards goal and his strength, the physically strong Finn fits perfectly into Tapola’s straight game. With 15 goals he is top scorer at SCB. Of these, only four were more than that.

And Corban Ridder (33)? No SCB forward gets more ice time than the lanky Canadian. But the offensive output has been way too low lately. In the last five games he has only one assist. He was also no longer as dominant at the face-off point.

Captain Moser has not scored a goal in 21 games

In terms of production, the Swiss veterans Simon Moser (34) and Tristan Scherwey (32), who certainly cannot be accused of a lack of will, also had a lot to thank. Captain Moser, who faced a goal drought at the start of the season (16 games without a goal), was goalless in 21 games against Lugano on November 24. In the derby in Langnau, the former Nati attacker, who has to make do without a power play this season and in a much more defensive role, was moved back to the fourth line.

Scherwey has only scored once in the last twelve games, but unlike Moser, he can use his speed. That is why he fits perfectly in line with Benjamin Baumgartner and Marco Lehmann (both 23), who grew into the top players category at SCB this season.

Swiss attacking defenders Romain Loeffel (32) and Ramon Untersander (33) had to settle for two assists each in the last five games.

Source : Blick