Zug loses first leg of semi-final in the Champions Hockey League

Hopes were high that EV Zug would be able to show a different face on the international stage after an unsuccessful start to the new year with five consecutive defeats in the National League. But these hopes were only partially fulfilled. Lulea, who are also struggling in the Swedish SHL this season, were superior in all respects in Zug. The visitors dominated proceedings from the outset, while the EVZ once again lacked defensive stability in front of a good 4,000 spectators and hardly made any mark offensively for a long time.

Nevertheless, Zug "only" have to overturn a one-goal deficit in the second leg at the Swedish champions to become the third Swiss team after Genève-Servette (2024) and the ZSC Lions (2025) to reach the final of the European club competition. They owe this above all to goalkeeper Leonardo Genoni, who prevented a clearer result with numerous strong saves, especially in the first two periods. After 40 minutes, the shot ratio was clearly in Lulea's favor at 24:6.

Zug had their best phase after the middle of the game. Captain Jan Kovar equalized in the power play to make it 1:1. Shortly afterwards, the hosts had another overtime situation in which they narrowly missed out on the lead thanks to a near-goal by Lulea. Virtually in the opposite direction, Zug's Swedish forward Andreas Wingerli lost the puck catastrophically, which led to 1-2. Lulea increased the lead to 3:1 before the second intermission. EVZ caught their breath in the final period and reduced the deficit to 2:3 in the 48th minute with another power-play goal from Tomas Tatar. Shortly before the end, the 3:3 equalizer was even in the air - again in overtime - but Wingerli failed to score from point-blank range.

The EVZ will not get a breather until the second leg next Tuesday in the north of Sweden. The National League continues in quick succession. Zug host Lugano on Wednesday and Ajoie on Friday, before the long away trip to Geneva on Saturday.

In the other, all-Swedish semi-final, Frölunda Göteborg with Swiss national defenseman Dominik Egli won the first leg away at Brynäs 2-0.

Telegram:

Zug - Lulea 2:3 (0:1, 1:2, 1:0)

4078 spectators. - SR Vikman/Ondracek (FIN/CZE), Schlegel/Stalder. - Goals: 19th Liedes (Tardif, Eriksson) 0:1. 31st Kovar (Riva, Hofmann) 1:1. 33rd Hedqvist (underpaid goal!) 1:2. 48th Tatar (Kubalik, Sklenicka/powerplay goal) 2:3. - Penalties: 4 times 2 minutes each.

Zug: Genoni; Sklenicka, Riva; Schlumpf, Tobias Geisser; Stadler, Guerra; Mischa Geisser; Moret; Tatar, Kovar, Kubalik; Künzle, Wingerli, Hofmann; Vozenilek, Senteler, Petrovic; Antenen, Leuenberger, Herzog; Wey.

Lulea: Lassinantti; Allard, Gustafsson; Laaksonen, Leskinen; Själin, Sellgren; Engsund; Shinnimin, O'Neill, Hedqvist; Nurmi, Andreasson, Levtchi; Omark, Koivistoinen, Bromé; Eriksson, Liedes, Tardif; Granberg.

Remarks: Zug without Balestra, Bengtsson, Diaz, Martschini (all injured), Lindemann (sick) and Eggenberger (supernumerary). 26th post shot Vozenilek.