“The whole season is at stake,” said Friborg captain Julien Sprunger, describing the starting position in front of the Belle. After an excellent qualification with a points record in the club’s history, the Freiburg team were threatened with another season of disappointment. Like a year ago in the pre-playoffs, Lugano wanted to play spoilsport. But this time things turned out differently.
Mottet presents
Killian Mottet caused the sold-out Freiburg Arena to explode for the first time after 18 minutes. Afterwards, like two days before in Lugano, when the home team forced the “Belle” to win 3-2 thanks to two power play goals, the penalties were once again decisive.
Acuh DiDomenico scores
Coming from the penalty box, Christoph Bertschy increased the score to 2-0 after 22 minutes after a fine pass from Sandro Schmid. It was the first goal in these playoffs for Friborg’s best Swiss goalscorer in qualification. Just over two minutes later, Lugano’s top scorer Daniel Carr scored the 1-2 goal when he was outnumbered. But Chris DiDomenico restored Gottéron’s two-goal lead shortly after half-time with a power-play goal.
Thürkauf brings back hope
Although Lugano’s captain Calvin Thürkauf was able to reduce the score to 2:3 34 seconds before the second break, Friborg could not get away from winning ways in the final third. The hosts also survived a four-minute outnumbered situation shortly before the end unscathed. Reto Berra with some strong saves and double goalscorer Bertschy with the 4-2 into the empty goal ultimately ensured that Lugano has to wait for its first semi-final qualification since reaching the final six years ago.
Which opponent is waiting?
For Fribourg, the hunt for the first championship title in the club’s history continues on Easter Monday with the first semi-final home game. Coach Christian Dubé’s team won’t know its opponent until Saturday – it depends on the outcome of the Lausanne-Davos and Zug-Bern series, both of which will also be decided in a Game 7. But it definitely won’t be record champions Davos.