Lightning-fast reaction before the equalizer: how Biel’s equipment manager became the man of the game

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It was the scene of the match in the play-in first match Biel – Ambri (1:1): Biel forward Tino Kessler (27) hammered the puck towards the Ambri goal in the 29th minute, but dismantled his stick in the process. “It happens so quickly, I didn’t have time to get angry about it, but I looked for a solution.” Changing yourself would have been one thing. But then equipment manager Pascal Stoller (51) unexpectedly became the man of the game: the ex-professional responded in no time and handed Kessler a new device so that he could continue playing immediately.

“My job is to be prepared for things like this and then respond quickly. It was not the first time,” said Stoller, who became Swiss champion in 2000 as a defender for the ZSC Lions. The 51-year-old has been an equipment manager at EHC Biel since 2010. His lightning-fast action on Monday evening was like an assist – a few seconds later, Kessler hit the ball with the new stick and scored to equalize: 1-1. Stoller: “If you can contribute something, then that is of course nice.”

Will the lucky stick return?

What is surprising, however, is that for this purpose the baton handed over by Stoller had done its job and disappeared back on the shelf. Kessler picked up a new piece of playground equipment instead. The reason for this: “The stick I hit with is actually my stick, which I only use during training.”

Serious? Biel bites into Ambri goalkeeper Benjamin Conz for 60 minutes and then the only stick that manages to overcome him has only a short usefulness! As Kessler ponders these facts, he finally says, “Maybe I should get this stick out again on Wednesday.” Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea, because the Bielers need a win in Ambri. Otherwise they’ll go on vacation, including Kessler and his sticks.

Source : Blick