- Lausanne beats ZSC 5-3 in the 6th final game and thus forces a “Belle” – the 3rd in a row in the playoff final.
- In the middle third, the Vaudois went from 1-0 to 5-0 in just under 10 minutes, with Damien Riat shining as a double packer.
- The ZSC Lions wake up too late and can only shorten the game in the final third.
For the third time in a row, ice hockey fans – at least the neutral ones – can look forward to an all-important seventh final game. Because Lausanne defeated the ZSC Lions 5-3 in game 6 and thus ensured another final “Belle”, which will take place on Tuesday in Zurich.
Late ZSC reaction
The fact that it got a bit exciting at the end was due equally to the ZSC Lions and Lausanne. On the one hand, the Zurich team reacted too late to an inferior middle third, but on the other hand, Lausanne seemed to be too sure of themselves after 40 minutes.
With the score at 0:5, Chris Baltisberger had only scored what appeared to be a consolation goal for ZSC 22 seconds before the second period break. In the final third, Dean Kukan (43′) and Denis Malgin suddenly scored in the majority (49′). Although the guests rebelled again in the last 20 minutes, the mortgage that had been negotiated until the 39th minute was ultimately too great. Lausanne made it 5:3 over time.
Lausanne fireworks
After what was very sobering from the LHC perspective 0:3 on Thursday there was no real sign of such a home win. However, Lausanne’s home strength is now well known. The last defeat in the Vaudoise Arena dates back to March 27th and occurred in the playoff quarter-finals against Davos.
After just 4 minutes, Antti Suomela had put the home team in front in the power play and with his first goal in the final. From then on, and especially after Damien Riat’s 2-0 win (27th), Lausanne was carried by the audience to the victory they deserved in the end. Just as the Swiss Life Arena had become a madhouse last Thursday, Lausanne’s home ground now shook – especially in the middle third.
Legend:
Pure ecstasy
The people of Lausanne have every reason to celebrate.
Keystone/Salvatore Di Nolfi
There, coach Geoff Ward’s team set off real fireworks, dismantling the ZSC Lions according to every trick in the book. Nati striker Riat made it 2-0 in the 27th minute. A little later, goals came from Cody Almond (33′), Jason Fuchs (35′) and again Riat (39′), who was ultimately named best player.
“Belle” on Tuesday
It could have been even worse for Zurich: A second goal from Fuchs in the 37th minute was disallowed due to goalkeeper interference. At this point, ZSC goalie Simon Hrubec was no longer on the ice, having made way for Robin Zumbühl after the 4-0 defeat. The 25-year-old, who last played on March 2nd, only went 5 minutes without conceding a goal.
At least Marc Crawford’s team was still able to react with Zumbühl between the posts. This and the fact that Game 7 will take place in Zurich again should give ZSC courage for the final game.