
After three consecutive defeats, Lugano wins at home against the ZSC Lions. Top scorer Luca Fazzini scores 38 seconds before the end of overtime to make it 2-1.
The last National League game before the short international break brought a little redemption for Lugano. Fazzini's winning goal, which rewarded the hosts' great effort, was accordingly celebrated. It brought the first win of the season after overtime and an important extra point in the race for a place in the top 10.
HC Lugano made too little of its opportunities before the extra shift, as it did in the home defeat against the SCL Tigers (1:3) the day before. The shooting percentage in the first and last period was clearly in favor of the Ticino team coached by Uwe Krupp. But even the best chances went unused, partly because ZSC goalie Simon Hrubec made excellent saves and partly because the visitors from Zurich had luck on their side in some situations.
The ZSC Lions, with their mammoth program of eleven games in the last 20 days, equalized Jiri Sekac's opening goal in the 16th minute through Yannick Zehnder (10th), but were often on the defensive after that. The only six defenders available in Lugano - including Dean Kukan, who had to withdraw at short notice due to illness - had their hands full. The offense only got going in phases.
The Zurich players who are not on the national team will now have a short break before four league games next week before the Champions Hockey League final.
Telegram and standings:
Lugano - ZSC Lions 2:1 (1:1, 0:0, 0:0, 1:0) n.V.
4849 spectators. - SR Hürlimann/Ströbel, Cattaneo/Fuchs. - Goals: 10. Sekac (Zohorna, Aleksi Peltonen) 1:0. 16. Zehnder (Frödén) 1:1. 65. (64:22) Fazzini (Thürkauf) 2:1. - Penalties: none against Lugano, 1 x 2 minutes against ZSC Lions. - PostFinance top scorers: Fazzini; Grant.
Lugano: Huska; Guerra, Mirco Müller; Jesper Peltonen, Alatalo; Aebischer, Pulli; Meile; Fazzini, Arcobello, Carr; Aleksi Peltonen, Zohorna, Sekac; Canonica, Thürkauf, Marco Müller; Cormier, Verboon, Morini; Patry.
ZSC Lions: Hrubec; Geering, Lehtonen; Marti; Trutmann, Blaser; Schwendeler; Sigrist, Malgin, Andrighetto; Rohrer, Grant, Balcers; Frödén, Lammikko, Zehnder; Baltisberger, Baechler, Riedi; Truog.Remarks: Lugano without Dahlström, Joly, Zanetti and van Pottelberghe (all injured).