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Harri Säteri (23) was in a great mood from the start in these play-offs. The star goalie, who became world champion and Olympic champion with Finland, was one of the main people responsible for reaching the final of the Seelanders. But in the third game of this series against Geneva, it was not he, but Joren van Pottelberghe (25) who was between the posts. “We’re lucky to have multiple options,” said Biel’s assistant coach Oliver David. “That’s why we always have a fresh keeper.”
With its freshness “JvP” drove the Servettiens to despair for at least 78 minutes. Despite clear advantages, the people of Geneva had to come off the ice with a 1:2 defeat after extra time. “On such evenings you imagine yourself in a bubble”, match winner Van Pottelberghe explains afterwards. “I was able to quickly get into the rhythm. In the beginning I didn’t have much work, but I always had something to do.”
“Never Panic”
After this relatively uneventful start – eight shots from Servette in the first third – he went on to become the most sought-after man on the ice. “It was really intense. But I tried not to panic.” That worked. In the end, the national goalkeeper, who only returned early this year after a torn cruciate ligament, saved 44 of the 45 shots that came his way.
The technical staff of Biel had already thought of this coup in the semi-final against ZSC Lions and put their trust in Joren van Pottelberghe in the second company on the Limmat. “I knew I could do it again in the final. It doesn’t matter if I’m at the base or not, I’m always ready to intervene,” he says. He already knew on Monday that he would play in Geneva. No reason for him to be disturbed. “It’s a It’s a matter of experience,” he remarks with a smile. “I slept very well before this game.” And after his great performance, maybe even better.
‘We are playing for something more important’
Oliver David also pays tribute to his noble prankster: “He was absolutely phenomenal and made sure we had a chance to win that night. Of course, after a puck win, the decisive goal falls in the attacking zone. But without his work beforehand, this chance was ours not arise.”
Joren van Pottelberghe already excelled in his last game in Zurich with a shutout (4-0 win). In the game after that, however, his place was back on the bench. About his special role, he says: “As a goalkeeper you always want to play, that makes sense. But that’s not the most important thing at the moment. We’re playing for something more important and as long as I help the team win, I’m happy.”
The “more important” is the first championship title in 40 years. The inhabitants of Biel are only two victories away from this. Especially thanks to van Pottelberghe. And above all, they now have a relaxed keeper in regular keeper Harri Säteri and a hot keeper in JvP who is always ready.
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
