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With a lot of delay, the EVZ has still arrived in the final series against the ZSC Lions. Dario Simion played a big part in this, because he was no longer troubled by jamming.
Also the 2nd master puck is gone for the ZSC Lions. It seems as if the playoff final between the defending champion EVZ and the Zurich team experienced a 180 degree turn – with a constant that has remained throughout all 5 games.
- The new: Like duels 1 and 2, game number 5 in Central Switzerland was an equal match. Suddenly, however, the puck seems to be running for moves. The qualifying winner claims more luck and has adjusted his sight better in the end. The last 4:1 on Wednesday was conspicuous for this development.
- The known: Whoever takes the lead in this series loses the game in the end – in 60 minutes. Nothing has changed in this logic.
Suddenly Simion was only the one who sinned
The metamorphosis in the game of head coach Dan Tangnes’ team can be seen in the example of Dario Simion. The number 59 on the wing position of the 1st block of Zug was still on duty when they won the title last year. In the 13 playoff matches of 2020/21 he scored 9 goals and booked 3 assists.
After a cut injury and corona isolation, the current championship only started for the Ticino in mid-January. With his team’s flawless playoff start, he seemed to have gradually returned to his usual level with 6 scorer points.
When it counts, they’re there. That is what distinguishes great players.
But then came the duel for the championship trophy, with it the collective pondering of Zug and for Simion the unusual omission of big chances. With a little more penetrating power in the end, he could have steered the final games 1 and 2 in a different direction.
made room in my head
At the 4:1 in the Hallenstadion, Simion celebrated his first goal in the final and scored the winning 3:1 in the 52nd minute. “Finally,” was his succinct comment on the longed-for personal sense of achievement. When it was 4-1 again two days later, the 27-year-old even distinguished himself as a triple scorer. The game winner to 2:1 fell again in the 52nd minute.
“I don’t think about it that much anymore,” according to Simion, is the recipe for untying the knot. He knew that he had to shoot high – accordingly he caught the 2:1 ZSC keeper Jakub Kovar outnumbered with a precise shot into the crossbar.
Coach Tangnes isn’t surprised that Simion is on the mend after the test of patience. “I’m happy for him,” said the Norwegian. In his eyes, above-average players are characterized by being there when it counts. “Dario has managed to take a decisive step forward in an important phase,” praises Tangnes.
Also Kovar has found the step
The newly won consistency and coolness in game 5 was shown by another Zuger with Jan Kovar. The Czech top scorer launched Simion strongly on his second goal. And he also had 3 scorer points in this game (1 goal/2 assists).