The ZSC Lions live up to their role as favorites in the playoff opener
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Young Austrian Vinzenz Rohrer in a ZSC uniform celebrates after his goal to make it 3-1
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Chris Baltisberger (2nd from left) is congratulated by his teammates after his power play goal to make it 5:1
Image: Keystone
In the first Zurich playoff derby in eleven years, there was very little emotion
Image: Keystone
Sandro Zurkirchen in the Kloten goal had to be beaten five times
Image: Keystone
The ZSC Lions live up to their role as favorites in the playoff opener
Image: Keystone
Young Austrian Vinzenz Rohrer in a ZSC uniform celebrates after his goal to make it 3-1
Image: Keystone
Chris Baltisberger (2nd from left) is congratulated by his teammates after his power play goal to make it 5:1
Image: Keystone
In the first Zurich playoff derby in eleven years, there was very little emotion
Image: Keystone
Sandro Zurkirchen in the Kloten goal had to be beaten five times
Image: Keystone
The ZSC Lions remain a home power in the playoffs. At the start of the quarter-final series against Kloten, the champions outclassed their cantonal rivals 5:1, with Rudolfs Balcers scoring twice.
13.03.2025, 22:15
13.03.2025, 22:18
SDA
A year ago, the ZSC Lions won all eight playoff home games on their way to the tenth championship title in the club's history, most recently the finalissima against Lausanne 2:0. In the first Zurich playoff derby since the 2014 final (4:0 wins for ZSC), it was clear early on that this series would not be broken.
Rudolf Balcers' 4:1 in the 32nd minute was a preliminary decision. The Latvian had already been involved in two of the hosts' goals in an evenly-matched opening period. He provided the assist for Sven Andrighetto's 1:0 (15th) and scored the 2:1 himself twelve seconds before the first break. ZSC's first forward line of Balcers, Andrighetto and Denis Malgin was once again outstanding.
The origin of Kloten's only goal was a misplay by ZSC veteran Yannick Blaser. Nolan Diem took advantage and scored just 85 seconds after Zurich had taken the lead to equalize the score at 1:1. ZSC's 3:1 at the start of the middle third was also a gift from their opponents. Kloten defenceman Leandro Profico let Willy Riedi steal the puck from him as the man in the back, Vinzenz Rohrer went ahead and beat Sandro Zurkirchen in the visitors' goal.
Telegram:
ZSC Lions - Kloten 5:1 (2:1, 2:0, 1:0)
12'000 spectators. - SR Tscherrig/Stolc (SVK), Schlegel/Francey. - Goals: 15. Andrighetto (Balcers, Malgin) 1:0. 17. Diem (Meier) 1:1. 20. (19:48) Balcers (Malgin, Kukan) 2:1. 24. Rohrer (Riedi) 3:1. 32. Balcers (Ustinkov) 4:1. 48. Baltisberger (Andrighetto, Kukan/powerplay goal) 5:1. - Penalties: 4 times 2 minutes each. - PostFinance top scorers: Frödén; Ojamäki.
ZSC Lions: Hrubec; Kukan, Geering; Weber, Marti; Blaser, Lehtonen; Ustinkov; Andrighetto, Malgin, Balcers; Frödén, Lammikko, Zehnder; Rohrer, Grant, Riedi; Baltisberger, Sigrist, Baechler; Henry.
Kloten: Zurkirchen; Niku, Profico; Grégoire, Wolf; Sataric, Steve Kellenberger; Sidler; Ojamäki, Morley, Audette; Aberg, Ramel, Schreiber; Meier, Schäppi, Meyer; Smirnovs, Diem, Weibel; Derungs.
Remarks: ZSC Lions without Hollenstein, Trutmann (both injured), Olsson, Schwendeler, Segafredo (all ) and Kinnunen (supernumerary foreigner), Kloten without Steiner (injured), Simic (suspended), Aebi, Cuesta Flores, Deussen , Keller (all ) and Hawryluk (supernumerary foreigner).
