The CHL’s No. 1 seed in great danger | Europe and World – Ice Hockey | Hockeyarchives

If Mannheim managed the performance of finishing at the top of the rankings of the new CHL formula, we know that the final elimination phases will reshuffle the cards. This is the last qualifier that Mannheim meets, but the Swiss of Rapperswil-Jona, located in the canton of Saint-Gall, are much more complicated to play than it seems, especially on their ice with their hot audience. .

Rappi’ is not one of the big guns in the Swiss championship but demonstrated great qualities by finishing third in the standings last season, with Roman Červenka as top scorer in the championship and MVP of the National League. Victor Rask is also very experienced with more than 500 NHL games under his belt. During the international break, the Lakers recruited striker Martin Frk – extra foreigner from SC Berne – to compensate for the injury of Brett Connolly and Emil Djuse. The Czech plays his first match in his new colors. But Canadian defender Maxim Noreau has just been injured in training.

Both teams take to the ice with great seriousness. The defenses are applied and the forecheck is already intense. But on David Wolf’s penalty, the Swiss opened the scoring as in training. Tyler Moy’s powerful shot bounced off Brückmann’s boots and Jordan Schroeder just had to push the puck into the cages. He was strangely completely forgotten in front of the German goalkeeper (7’44: 1-0). The Swiss control the game and make themselves at home to keep the puck. On a battle won in the boards, Linden Vey receives the puck. Off-center but forgotten, he sends it into the net, under the bar, from a fairly tight angle (11’19: 1-1). It didn’t take many chances to come back for Mannheim.

The match looks to be well underway. Sandro Forrer gets a great opportunity, on the counter (12’03). On the other side, Daniel Fischbuch treats us to a great skating session with a spin around the cage, then a return to the offensive blue line to conclude with a tight shot, well captured by Nyffeler (12’56). The reds have a good defensive organization because Mannheim absolutely fails to establish superiority. And the attack isn’t bad either. On a puck won in the defensive zone, they rush to the attack and cause a 2 on 1. Martin Frk passes to Gian-Marco Wetter who only has to crucify Brückmann (17’11: 2- 1). Clearly, Rapperswil has demonstrated dominance in many areas of the game. Johan Lundskog has work to do to refocus the debates.

In the second round, David Wolf was penalized again after sending his opponent onto the ice. The big German striker was very tight at close quarters, the penalty is a bit harsh. Mannheim is forcing. Matthias Plachta parks in the slot and Yannick-Lennart Albrecht tries to dislodge him without success. On the return to five, the Saint-Gallois increase their pressure on the puck carrier and apply an ultra-rapid defensive withdrawal. Finally, the cleaning of the area is clean and without burrs.

We are starting to understand that the evening challenge is rather serious for Mannheim. Lundskog’s players are reduced to chasing the puck. They only have safe shots left for Nyffeler. Only Tyler Gaudet manages to overtake quickly to get back on the cage (33’38). The Swiss skating is simply impressive. Rapperswil is in great shape. Despite a strong time that the Germans managed to obtain, there was no real danger on the Swiss cage. Martin Frk sees his goal disallowed for a high cross. And in inferiority, the area is locked. It is still with a feeling of Swiss domination that everyone returns to the locker room.

Third third and Rapperswil continues its festival with the prevailing wind. This becomes unbearable in the German defensive zone. The pressure is unbearable, the placement and organization of the reds are achieved with a beautiful passing game. Nicklas Jensen, well placed near the cage, makes the decisive pass to Schroeder who advances to the cage (44’24: 3-1).

The domination continues, and Mannheim suffers to contain the Swiss attacks. The weather does not change. For Mannheim it was bad weather throughout this period. As if stunned, the Germans folded and Felix Brückmann made an error of judgment behind his cage. He throws the puck directly at Victor Rask alone, who only has to pass it to Frk in front of the goals (58’21: 4-1, photo below).

This goal hurts a lot, and further complicates the task for the return match. Rapperswil demonstrated very high level organization and intensity. The Swiss impressed with their speed and their ability to retain the puck. Rapperswil dominated in all situations and Mannheim leaves with a serious challenge ahead.

Post-match comments :

Johan Lundskog (Mannheim coach): “We were too ineffective today. The fourth goal conceded wasn’t necessary, we made an avoidable mistake, but overall we improved defensively. However, we must find a way to take greater advantage of our opportunities. We had enough time in attack and we were tied with Rapperswil in shots. But it’s always difficult to win a match with just one goal scored. »

Martin Frk (Rapperswil striker): “It was a mentally tough time in Bern, no one wants to stand and watch, I wanted to free myself as soon as possible. I was very happy when Rapperswil called me, it’s up to me to demonstrate my worth, I no longer think about the past. I had the chance to play with Wetter and Rask, two great players who helped me a lot. for example Rask could have tried the conclusion but preferred to serve me the puck on my goal and I thank him for that. I already knew him, we had spent a month together at Carolina even if I had not played with him. I’m happy to be alongside him on the ice here, this past association certainly helped. It’s always nice to score, it’s even more important to win. It was the collective victory, a deserved success which allows us to approach the return match with a good advantage. »

Rapperswil – Mannheim 4-1 (0-1, 2-1, 2-0)
Tuesday November 14, 2023 at 7:45 p.m. at St. Galler Kantonalbank arna. 3515 spectators.
Referees: Manuel Nikolić (AUT) and Michał Baca (POL) assisted by Eric Cattaneo and Sébastien Duc (SUI)
Penalties: Rapperswil 6′ (2’, 2’, 2’); Mannheim 4′ (2′, 2′, 0′)
Tirs : Rapperswil 21 ; Mannheim 21.

Evolution of the score:
1-0 at 07’44: Schroeder assisted by Moy and Červenka (sup. num.)
1-1 at 11’19: Vey assisted by Mayer and Wolf
2-1 at 17’11: Wetter assisted by Frk and Rask
3-1 at 44’24: Schroeder assisted Jensen and Capaul
4-1 at 58’21: Frk assisted by Rask

Rapperswil-Jona

Attackers:
Sandro Forrer – Nico Dünr – Jeremy Wick
Roman Červenka – Yannick-Lennart Albrecht – Tyler Moy
Nicklas Jensen – Jordan Schroeder – Dominic Lammer (2′)
Gian-Marco Wetter (+2) – Victor Rask (+2) – Martin Frk (+2, 2′)
Sandro Zangger

Defenders:
Colin Gerber (-1) – David Aebischer (-1)
Fabian Maier (+2, 2′) – Inaki Baragano
Tim Grossniklaus – Nathan Vouardoux (+3)
Luca Capaul (+1)

Guardian
Melvin Nyffeler

Substitute: Robin Meyer (G). Absent: Maxim Noreau, Emil Djuse, Jonas Taibel (injured), Brett Connolly (hip surgery, season ended), Petr Cajka (loaned to Winterthur).

Mannheim

Attackers:
Tyler Ennis (-1) – Tyler Gaudet (-1) – Tom Kühnhackl (-1)
Markus Hannikäinen – Maximilian Eisenmenger – Daniel Fischbuch
David Wolf (-1, 4′) – Linden Vey (-1) – Matthias Plachta (-1)
Simon Thiel – Magnus Eisenmenger – Yannick Proske

Defenders:
Jordan Murray (-2) – Korbinian Holzer (-2)
Jyrki Jokipakka (-1) – Denis Reul (-1)
Fabrizio Pilu – Max Gildon (+1)
Paul Mayer (+1)

Guardian
Felix Brückmann

Substitutes: Arno Tiefensee (G), Noel Saffran (A). Absent: Ryan McInnis (hand), Jordan Szwarz (leg), Kris Bennett (abdominal muscles), Stefan Loibl (leg), John Gilmour