Statement about the semi-final hit: The ZSC was waiting for the series against Zug

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The ZSC Lions had to wait eight days to find out who their quarter-final opponent was. The forecasts changed almost daily. But now it is clear: it is not Lugano, not Davos and not Bern, but Zug.

To say that the residents of Zurich still have a score to settle with the EVZ would be an understatement. Because what the Lions experienced two years ago was more than just a final defeat.

It was a shame, a humiliation. They lost a 3-0 lead in the series. This had never happened in the final in Switzerland. And even in the NHL there was only one final series that ended 4:3 after 0:3. The Toronto Maple Leafs wrested the 1942 Stanley Cup victory from the Detroit Red Wings.

Now the Lions have a chance to give back. A win in the Z match would not bring back the title that was missed in 2022, but would still give them the chance to be crowned in the final. The stars Denis Malgin, Sven Andrighetto, Denis Hollenstein and Yannick Weber, who have never been champions, could then correct this error in their biography.

Small and large Zug wing tongs in shape

After the confident qualifying victory and the smooth 4-0 win in the quarter-finals against Biel, the Zurich team enters the series as favorites. Especially because, unlike the previous final, they still have home advantage on their side. The EVZ only made an impression at home in the quarter-final match against Bern, and recently delivered two incomprehensibly boring performances away from home.

But it should not go unmentioned here that all four Z derbies this season ended with an away win, with Zug twice winning 3-2 after extra time at the Swiss Life Arena, where the series starts today. And Dan Tangnes’ side had to play seven games against SCB, but appear to have survived the series largely unscathed. Their self-confidence is intact again and the desolate phase before the play-offs is almost forgotten. And a cold start from Zurich could spice up the series.

In addition to goalkeeper Leonardo Genoni, two wingers were especially convincing against SCB: the small, fearless Lino Martschini and Andreas Wingerli and the tall Fabrice Herzog and Dario Simion. The Ticino native is the best play-off scorer to date with five goals and was mainly responsible for the eventual turnaround in 2022 with six goals in the last four games.

Genoni magic only worked against ZSC in the final

Naturally, the ZSC has a team of a different quality than the SCB. Both in point and width. And with Simon Hrubec we also have a goalkeeper who can beat Genoni. Furthermore, Zurich’s special teams have also impressed so far.

Looking into the crystal ball: Even though the EVZ no longer has the charisma of its championship years, the series is more competitive than many think. Genoni was only able to work its magic against its parent club in the finals (2015 with Davos and 2022), but lost four times in the quarter- and semi-finals. The Lions need six games to take revenge.

Source : Blick