The fight for the playoffs is entering the decisive phase. Image: KEYSTONE
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Eismeister Zaugg
High tension in the playoff fight – is the SCB running out of breath?
Theoretically, Ambri, Langnau and the SCB can still climb the line and reach the playoffs. But actually only the SCB has a realistic chance.
71 points could be enough, in the most favorable circumstances maybe even 68. The “cheapest” was the last playoff place in 2011. At that time, 60 points were sufficient. It was the “most expensive” last spring: Servette needed 75 points for 8th place.
Rank 7: HC Lugano
Remaining:
- Friborg (a)
- SCB (h)
- Lakers (a)
- Ambri (h)
Lugano has won seven of the last eleven games and is closest to the goal of all the “trembling teams”. In the very best theoretical case, Lugano only needs two points and five should surely be enough. Two measures have stabilized the team and brought it “over the bottom line” again:
- Finnish loser Sami Kapanen was released on December 18. When he finally had to leave, Lugano had only two points left in second place to the bottom of Rapperswil-Jona.
- On December 10, the signing of a second goalkeeper capable of league (Niklas Schlegel) to make legs and parades for the frugal Sandro Zurkirchen. Thanks to SC Bern, Lugano solved his goalie problem. When Niklas Schlegel came, Lugano was ranked 10th behind the SCB. Now Lugano is sixth ahead of Bern in 7th place.
Zurkirchen holds more pucks thanks to competitor Schlegel. Image: KEYSTONE
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If the Ticino should reach the playoffs at the expense of the master, we can say that the SCB sold the playoffs for a few pieces of silver: the Bernese let Niklas Schlegel without any need out of a current contract to Lugano after the transfer of Tomi Karhunen draw for a little money to save a few pieces of silver.
Rank 8: Friborg-Gottéron
Remaining:
- Lugano (h)
- Langnau (a)
- Train (h)
- SCB (a)
- Servette (h)
Of all the “trembling teams”, Gottéron is in the best shape and has won seven of the last nine games. A change of coach has brought about a change: when coach Mark French had to leave on October 5th, Friborg was at the bottom, five points behind Ambri. In the meantime, sports director Christian Dubé and his advisor Sean Simpson have on the one hand tactically stabilized the moody Schillerfalter and on the other hand «emotionalized», ice hockey is played again and not just worked.
Gottéron appears as a unit in the playoff fight. Image: KEYSTONE
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Gottéron can win in stormy forward gear (6: 5 a.P. in Biel), but also masters the cool tactical template game like the victory in Zurich (2: 1 a.V.) or most recently in Lausanne (3: 2). Gottéron won nine out of ten games that went into extra time or the penalty decision. The calculation is actually quite simple: If Friborg travels to Bern by four points for the second-to-last game, then the playoffs are close. But goalkeeper Reto Berra has to play his best hockey.
Rank 9: SC Bern
Remaining:
- Lakers (h)
- Lugano (a)
- Davos (a)
- Friborg (h)
- Lausanne (a)
Without the outstanding performance of their Finnish goalkeeper Tomi Karhunen, the Bernese would already have lost the playoffs. There is still a chance: if the master wins at least three of the five outstanding games after 60 minutes (and including those against Gottéron) – then the playoffs are possible with the most favorable constellation and with four wins after 60 minutes it should be enough. That should be possible, right?
But this season the SCB lost the three previous games against Lugano and once against Gottéron on their own ice. The change of coach – Hans Kossmann for Kari Jalonen – did nothing. Because it wasn’t necessary. Will and passion have never been missing. The anxious question for the oldest team in the league is rather: Do the constantly strongly forced titans (Simon Moser, Marc Arcobello) still have enough breath for a final sprint?
Without Moser and Arcobello in top form, the SCB must be in the placement round. Image: KEYSTONE
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Arcobello have scored only two goals in the last 15 games and have not scored in the last seven games. Even Simon Moser can’t rock every game. The big chance is the direct encounter in the second last round against Gottéron – but by then the gap should no longer be four points.
Rank 10: SCL Tigers
Remaining:
- Davos (a)
- Friborg (h)
- Lausanne (a)
- Train (a)
- Biel (h)
It is a miracle that the SCL Tigers still have a playoff chance with this team. But now they are statistically the weakest “trembling team”. The Langnauer have won only two of the last eight games. Homemade disagreements – which led Chris DiDomenico to switch to Gottéron at the end of the season – have wasted a formidable starting position (five points ahead of 9th).
At least the ability to react to setbacks has not been completely lost. In Geneva, after three defeats in a row, they finally managed to win again (3-2 n.p.). The starting position is similar to that in Bern: an outstanding goalie (Ivars Punnenovs) gives the team a chance to win in every game. But who makes the gates? Chris DiDomenico has scored only two goals in the last 14 games.
DiDomenico just doesn’t hit anymore. Image: KEYSTONE
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Whether it is enough, should already be shown on Saturday in the home game against Gottéron. It is quite possible that in the end the three points that were lost in the 3-7 victory against the Lakers on 11 February will be missing. As bad as it sounds, as it is: If you don’t beat the Lakers in the decisive final phase, you’re not worth the playoffs.
Rank 11: Ambri-Piotta
Remaining:
- ZSC (a)
- Servette (h)
- Davos (h)
- Lugano (a)
Only if Ambri wins all four outstanding games after 60 minutes, the playoffs are still possible with a favorable constellation. However, this is highly unlikely. After their terrific last season (5th place in the qualification), the brave of the Leventina pay the expected high price for dancing to too many weddings (Champions League, qualification, Spengler Cup).
But after the qualification is not over. After the placement round, the 11th and 12th must compete in the playouts and the loser must qualify for the league against the master of the Swiss League – provided that they are eligible for promotion and capable of promotion. Only Kloten and Olten are actually dangerous and they have already lost the first quarter-final game.
The playoff train has probably left, but Ambri will hardly get off. Image: KEYSTONE
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Ambri has a wealth of experience in the struggle for survival – an experience that the SCB lacks completely and the Langnauer have not had the powdery steam of the relegation battle in their noses for four years. Ambri may be virtually without a chance in the fight for the last playoff spot – but Ambri should be best prepared by all the “trembling teams” for the continuation in the placement round.
