Lugano takes its revenge

07 Sep 2018Davide Tuniz»

Defeated 2-5 in Slovakia, Swiss team pays back Banska Bystyrca with a three-goals-difference victory

Lugano keeps alive the hopes to continue the journey in the Champions League pulled out the victory over Slovakian champion Banska Bystrica, the first success after two initial defeats, included a 2-5 against same Banska Bystrica at the begin of September

Despite a Corner Arena not crowded as expected for the home debut, the atmosphere is charged with electricity due to a protest of the ultras against the club. But when the puck rolls on ice, chants and support are all for the home team that has a great start, scoring twice in the first 5 minutes: at 01:49 with defender Benoit Jecker, well assisted by young Elia Riva and at minute 5 with veteran Raffaele Sannitz with some responsibility by the American goalie Stephon Williams. A minute before the goal, Guillaume Asselin wasted the best chance for the visitors hitting the post from a favourable position. Despite a good offensive production, Lugano show defending limits, with pucks naively lost in the defensive zone, so Banska Bystrica, without doing anything exceptional, manages to put the game in the balance with a goal of Róbert Varga. After the goal Slovak team changes the goal, with Samuel Baros replacing Williams.

Banska Bystrica fans celebrating the goal

The game becomes nervous and tense with many interruptions, with some contacts outside the framework of the rules and a power play not converted by Lugano. The goal missed in the last moments of the first period comes quickly after 20 seconds in the central period with a personal move of Linus Klasen. Banska Bystrica is weakened by 3 consecutives penalties, so Lugano dominates the central part of the period, threatening constantly Baros’ cage. Slovaks have the best chance with a shot by Mihalik, blocked by Merzlikins.

At 50:52 Lugano closes the question with the fourth goal scored on power play by Jani Lajunen, tapping in a rebound from a shot by Lapierre, sealing another period constantly leading, equalizing the goals difference in the head-to-head with Slovak team