Kloten wins after Marcel Jenni’s farewell celebration

As a writer or journalist, you always try to keep a certain distance, describe the game play in a neutral way. But sometimes, once in a few years, all of that gets thrown over board. Tonight was one of those nights. It was Marcel Jenni's fare well. The man who had played his last 10 seasons in Kloten and had started his NLA career with tonights opponent HC Lugano. He won a national title with the Luganesi but also won a title while playing for Färjestads BK and was top scorer of the playoffs in the Elite-Serien in 2000-2001. The speaches given by various companions left Marcel Jenni but also the writer with tears in his eyes.

It seemed that the pre-game break had slowed down both teams, the first half of the period each team already had taken a penalty but in the 15th minute the Flyers were in the offensive zone when Matthias Bieber fired a slapshot just from the front of the blue line and beat Merzlikins a first time. In the next few minutes Klotens Gustafsson took a shot from the right face off circle but the puck deflected off the cross-bar.

After the break, Lugano and Kloten came out rather slow again. Maybe the team assistants had mixed some sleeping potion into the drinks, who know. Although the Flyers had visibly more and better chances they just couldn't add the second goal which in this situation may have already decided this game between the 6th (Kloten) and 9th seeded team. Adam Hasani who had been acquired by the Flyers this week was added to the roster as a 13th forward, played a solid game.

Five minutes had run down the clock in the final period when Klotens forwards somehow showed signs of a power attack as they covered Lugano's goaltender with 5 shots within just 20 seconds but still the score remained 1:0 for the home team. With two minutes left in the game, Lugano's Alessandro Chiesa deflected a shot by Linus Klasen and beat Martin Gerber. The goal was reviewed due to a possible high stick incident but shortly after the head referee called it a good goal and so the game went into overtime.

The overtime saw Lugano create better chances and with a little over 1 minute left Kloten's Rene Back had to take a penalty for hooking. But the Flyers were able to fend off the attacks in the final minute.

In the 5 round shoot-out, Kloten's Kolarik, Hollenstein and Santala scored while only Linus Klasen beat Gerber for Lugano. The win keeps the Flyers on the winning street while Lugano can't get out of the slump for now.

"We're happy with the 2 points, Lugano is a great team and we had to fight hard", Klotens head coach Sean Simpson said. Asked about the shootout he said that "Gerber was really strong today" as he stopped shots from Linus Klasen, Fredrik Pettersson and Damien Brunner. He also explained that he wanted to have to strongest possible team on the ice when asked why Mark Olver wasn't dressed for tonights game.

Kloten will travel to Bern tomorrow who won their game 4:1 against Lausanne.

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