Lugano stumbles over SCL Tigers

Fribourg - Bern 4:3

In a so called six-point game between league Fribourg-Gottéron and SC Bern it was Birbaum (4.) who brought the home team in front in their first power play opportunity. When the guest's goalie couldn't get the puck away Fribourg defender Birbaum only had to send the puck into the empty net. The game was even on the ice and after Heins lost the puck in another Fribourg power play it was Gardner who could tie the game for Bern in a short handed break (24.). Later in the period league top scorer Julien Sprunger scored the 2-1 for the hosts by deflecting the puck over the line with his skates. After 42 minutes Cristobal Huet only was able to block a long distance shot in front of Vigier who didn't miss in this opportunity to score the equalizer. Only four minutes later Hasani's nice back hander brought Fribourg in front again and when Heins compensated his first period mistake with a one-timer that was also deflected by one of his teammates the game was more or less over. Although Pascal Berger cut the lead to one 23 seconds prior to the end of the last period when his team pulled out the goalie, this effort came too late to stop the fifth consecutive loss of SC Bern.

Ambri-Piotta - Zug 2:4

In their away game against Ambrì-Piotta the guests from Zug were the clear favourites due to both teams standings in the NLA. Zug didn't show any mercy and scored already after 51 seconds when Alessandro Chiesa found the back of the net after Zug's pressure with several shots on goal within few seconds was too high for the home defense. Ambrì-Piotta continued to have defensive problems and so the goal by Holden (17.) who was left completely alone in front of the goalie was the consequence. Just before "half time" home goalie Bäumle blocked the puck in the direction of Lindemann who said "thank you" with the preliminary decision of the match. In the middle of the third Ambrì-Piotta came back with goals by Noreau and Botta because Zug didn't take the game serious any more but an empty-netter of Esa Pirnes one minute before the end of the last period secured the away win for them.

ZSC Lions - Lakers 4:2

The ZSC Lions, surprising Champions Hockey League winner of 2009, had to win against bottom club Rapperswil-Jona Lakers to stay in touch with NLA's leading group. Two hard and well-placed shots by Bastl and McCarthy brought a deserved 2-0 lead after 21 minutes but just a minute later the underdogs cut the lead to one when Hürlimann finnished a fast counter-attack with a nice shot over the home goalie's glove. Now the Lakers had the better momentum but none of the teams could score until the third period where Bastl (53.) with his second goal made everything clear. The guests still didn't give up and even scored the 2-3 with 34 seconds left on the clock but when they pulled out their goalie Tambellini made the 4-2 with his empty-net try.

Lugano - SCL Tigers 3:4 OT

In Lugano underdogs SCL Tigers were responsable for the only surprise of the NLA matchday. The penultimate in the table won in over time after a great third period comeback. Despite the lead through Simon Moser for the guests after 13 minutes everything seemed to become a perfect night for Lugano  In the middle period Lugano were clearly dominating on the ice. As a consequence Bednar, Hirschi and Domenichelli put a solid 3-1 lead on the board. One of the reasons for this turn around was that the Tigers took too many penalties against the best power play of the league which is never a good idea and so two of the goals came when Lugano had more players on the ice. Two beautiful top corner goals brought the Tigers back within the last five minutes of the third period - the equalizer even came after the Tigers pulled out their goalie. When the game went into over time it was Rytz who used the boost to win the game for his team after exactly 62 minutes.   

 

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