The tip of the scales: HCD can spoil the play-off qualification

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The National League will be held every two days from Tuesday to next Monday. The decision on the various line battles will have to wait: for Lugano, Bern, Davos and Servette it concerns direct play-off qualification. For Ambri, the SCL Tigers and Biel for a place in the play-in. Although at the bottom of the table, Ajoie is also in the middle of it instead of just there. Because the Jurassians play twice against Davos (next Tuesday, next Monday) and once against Bern (Thursday).

What sounds like a free pass for the favorites can actually become an uncomfortable nerve test and a tough nut to crack for them. Ajoie has been in good form lately, scoring four times in the last five games and even beating Fribourg 1-0 on Saturday. “We have stayed with our opponents all season, but now we are also taking the points. “This is especially valuable for morale,” says trainer Christian Wohlwend (47).

HCD only lost to Wohlwend

The fact that his old club HCD absolutely needs points against his current team Ajoie gives these two matches an extra explosiveness. Especially because the record champions were never able to beat Wohlwend and lost the two previous games of the season against Ajoie 1-2. “The universe has orchestrated this in a spectacular way,” says Wohlwend about the initial situation. But personally this affects him less; it is “something for the media and the fans”. The Engadine native says of the Davos team: “If they want to qualify for the direct play-offs, they have to do their job.”

But not only the HCD, but also the SCB had a lot of trouble with Ajoie this season. The three matches so far have been close, Bern won once with 2:1, once with 4:3 after extra time, but the Mutzen also lost once with 2:3 in extra time. “We’ll see what the hockey gods decide,” Wohlwend said. Personally, he is currently more interested in what happens in the Swiss League play-offs than the National League top line. Because Olten and Visp, who want to promote, are still in the semi-finals, he must count on the playout final against Kloten taking place for his team.

Be prepared for anything

This will be the case if at least one of these two teams can win their semi-final series and stay in the promotion race. If Olten or Visp then become Swiss League champions, Ajoie or Kloten will also have to qualify for the competition. Wohlwend about the situation, which brings with it a lot of uncertainty: “It is important for us that we are ready for whatever comes next.”

Source : Blick