The playoff power rankings: Davos bangs his head against the wall

The power rankings appear at short intervals and always when all teams have played the same number of matches. Agreements with the results bulletin are possible, but not mandatory.

The team from Graubünden overcame about 50 shades of adversity in Lausanne. Outnumbered situations? At your own discretion and in all possible variations: single, double and even in the first expansion in two variants. In the end there is a victory under the motto “With your head through the wall” and a break on the first attempt. Crime time? 81st minute of play.

No one punishes sloppiness as consistently as Copains Sörensen, Wallmark and Mottet, who specialize in offensive riots. Playback errors, disorientation, lack of discipline and foolish vindictiveness of the opponent (in this specific case: Lugano) are mercilessly exploited in the first game. Streule, Walser, Jörg & Co. simply smile away at the sometimes dirty play of the Ticino team.

Because the Bernese defenders simply gave the puck to the opponent behind their own goal, the Bernese defenders had to make up for something. This led to spectacular disarray in front of the EVZ box – and three goals from Bern’s defenders. Bern’s victory is enforced by a real power goal: Bader passes sharply in the middle to Tristan Scherwey, who pounces on the puck like a berserker.

The Vaudois can’t do anything with one man left on the ice (or two). In normal use, the attack is an attack on any opponent’s defense: rustic, mobile, brutal and safe to combine, there won’t be a dry eye in the room.

You can already see what the offensive has been able to contribute in two titles: refinement, speed and coolness. Even the SCB stronghold of Tapola had to gasp for air. In their own zone, however, the EVZ is still far from in masterful form, although the Swedish defense specialists Bengtsson and Hansson are back in the game.

The most mentioned favorite has to do with Biel, who has nothing left to lose. An unpleasant situation, where ‘fresh from the liver’ is easier said than done. The relatively cool dominance of the Zurich team is not spectacular, but effective. Malgin’s individual performance before the winning goal was very spectacular.

There is not much power yet – or not anymore, with a little more ruthlessness more might have been possible. Perhaps the Zeelanders should first recharge their batteries.

The disappointment of the first round. Revenge mistakes and ego trips, no “gritting your teeth”, pomade behavior in your own zone and a few dirty, frustrating actions at the end. And that in the first game? Coach Gianinazzi needs to tighten the discipline screws.

The results of the first round of the quarter-finals of the play-offs

ZSC Lions (1st) – Biel (9th) 4:3

Friborg (2nd) – Lugano (7th) 6:2

Lausanne (3rd) – Davos (6th) 2:3 aet

Zug (4th) – SC Bern (5th) 3:4