Zug's goalie Leonardo Genoni was only beaten once, but that was enough for the Finns to win
Image: Keystone
Head coach Marco Bayer conceded a home defeat with the ZSC Lions
Image: Keystone
Zug's goalie Leonardo Genoni was only beaten once, but that was enough for the Finns to win
Image: Keystone
Head coach Marco Bayer conceded a home defeat with the ZSC Lions
Image: Keystone
The ZSC Lions and EV Zug concede defeats in the Champions Hockey League. Zurich's defending champions lost 2-1 at home to Sparta Prague, while Zug lost 1-0 in Rauma, Finland.
07.10.2025, 19:53
07.10.2025, 22:13
SDA
The ZSC Lions were able to celebrate the first goal of returnee Vinzenz Rohrer in the final minute of the second period. However, Marco Bayer's team could not manage more than 1-2, even though it had more of the play in the final period than the strong Czech team. Sparta Prague took a deserved 2-0 lead in the middle period through the two NHL-experienced forwards Roman Horak and Devon Shore.
Even after their third defeat in the fifth game, the ZSC Lions remain in the top 16 in the standings and qualify for the playoffs. At the end of the regular season, they will face Ilves from Tampere next Tuesday. The Finns are already safely in the playoffs.
EV Zug returned from its trip to Finland without a goal and without points. The 18-year-old defenseman Arttu Välilä made the difference with his goal in the 26th minute. Even though the victory of the mostly dominant hosts was deserved, the Zug team had several good chances to equalize, including a power play in the final period. In the opening period, Nando Eggenberger only hit the post for EVZ and the Finns were denied a goal after a coach's challenge.
Zug, who are almost certain to qualify for the playoffs, will play their final match of the qualifiers at home against Czech champions Kometa Brno in a week's time on Wednesday.
