Ice hockey: ZSC Lions in the play-off semifinals

(sda) The ZSC Lions are the second team to advance to the playoff semifinals. The defending champions sealed the deal with a 5-2 home victory in their fifth quarterfinal match against Kloten – not without some effort.

On his 31st birthday, Sven Andrighetto saved the ZSC Lions from an unpleasant extra stretch this coming Sunday in Kloten. The national striker scored early to make it 1-0 and, after a brace from Axel Simic for the visitors, equalized to 2-2 with just under six minutes left in the game. Twenty-five seconds later, Juho Lammikko scored the winning goal to make it 3-2 – with his skate, but without a clear kicking motion. The Finn then added another goal into an empty net to make it 4-2.

In the first 24 minutes, there had been little doubt that the ZSC Lions would advance to the semifinals with their third home win against Kloten, and that Wednesday's defeat at Schluefweg would remain a mere footnote. Then, out of the blue, Simic equalized with a shot that ZSC goalie Simon Hrubec, who had returned after a brief break due to illness, didn't look good on – and everything changed in an instant.

Kloten now defended vigorously, and Zurich could no longer develop their offensive game as desired. Kloten's goalie Ludovic Waeber also clearly outplayed his renowned opponent, making several strong saves, especially against Denis Malgin. Ultimately, however, ZSC maintained its flawless playoff record in Zurich-Altstetten and celebrated its eleventh consecutive home win.

Now they have a few days' break until March 29th before the semifinals, with their opponents still to be determined. Kloten, on the other hand, is heading off into the holidays with their heads held high after an outstanding season.

Qualifying winner Lausanne remains a force at home, taking the lead again with a 4-1 win in the play-off quarterfinals against the SCL Tigers. The Vaudois club can seal the deal on Sunday.

Langnau were the first to laugh, but Lausanne prevailed in the end. With a double strike in the middle period, the Vaudois calmed the nerves of the rebellious visitors from Emmental. Dominik Kahun scored on a power play in the 25th minute, and in the 26th minute, Gavin Bayreuther added a follow-up shot from a very tight angle. The indestructible Kahun, no longer wanted at SC Bern, now shone against Lausanne with his third playoff goal. The Tigers could find no response.

The series between the qualification winner and last year's finalist and the SCL Tigers, who are in the playoffs for the first time since 2019 and only their third time ever, remained surprisingly hard-fought on Friday. Langnau needed just 20 seconds before defender Juuso Riikola took the lead with a wrist shot. However, the game lasted only 47 seconds. After the 1-1 tie, the game calmed down.

The middle period, however, could have been decisive, and not just because of the two goals conceded. Captain and team leader Harri Pesonen received a game misconduct penalty for a check to the head and will also miss Game 6 on Sunday. Lausanne, on the other hand, always has the home advantage. Since March 25th a year ago and a 0-1 quarterfinal loss to Davos, they have now won nine consecutive playoff games at the Vaudoise Aréna.