With the ZSC Lions, the most frequently mentioned title favorites are in the playoff final early – in an outstanding way. After the EHC Biel in the quarter-finals, the Zurich team also sent EV Zug on vacation as quickly as possible with a “sweep”.
The ZSC won 2-0 in Zug’s Bossard Arena and thus won away from home for the second time in a row without conceding a goal. However, the fourth meeting was not as close as Game 2 5 days ago, in which Sven Andrighetto only made the decision in the 54th minute. The Lions had already laid the foundation for the away win in the middle third. Despite the furious finale, the Zugers were unable to respond.
Legend:
Off to the playoff final
For 2-0 scorer Denis Malgin and his ZSC Lions.
Claudio Thoma/freshfocus
Zug gate open twice
The second period lasted 109 seconds before striker Derek Grant opened the can with his 8th goal in the 8th playoff game. It was made a bit easy for the Canadian: EVZ goalie Leonardo Genoni first saved an attempt by Grant’s strike partner Jesper Fröden, but then slipped so far out that Grant only had to place the puck in the empty housing.
The score remained at this level for a while – also because Zug was unable to take advantage of two power play opportunities. When Captain Jan Kovar had to go into the cooler for 2 minutes because of a fling with Grant, the Lions struck coldly. Andrighetto’s cross pass landed so perfectly at Denis Malgin that he only had to hit the half-open Zug box with his direct pass.
EVZ remains unlucky
For the final third, the home team once again mobilized all available strength. But things only became dangerous for ZSC around 10 minutes before the end when goalie Simon Hrubec took a penalty. In fact, things were ablaze in front of the Czech – but EVZ couldn’t get more than a crossbar shot from Niklas Hansson.
And even when the Zug team replaced Genoni with a 6th outfield player in the final minutes, they were no longer able to connect. A few seconds before the end, the goal border saved the ZSC Lions again; Lino Martschini had only hit the post.
Thanks to the “sweep”, the ZSC Lions now have a few days to recover and prepare for the upcoming playoff final. You can watch the semi-final between Lausanne and Freiburg at your leisure. The EV Zug is going on vacation.