Play-in (return match – first leg: 4-4)
HC Lugano – HC Ambrì-Piotta: 3-1 (1-0, 0-0, 2-1)
Cornèr Bank Arena (Lugano/Porza), 6,733 spectators. – Arb.: Hebeisen, Kohlmüller, Schlegel, Wolf.
Buts
19:46 Lower house (Arcobello) 1-0
54:26 Carr 2-0
58:29 Bürgler (Heed / PP1) 2-1
59:37 Swedish (IN) 3-1
The game
After a first leg which, ultimately, did not serve much purpose, the two teams approached this match as if it were the last of the season. However, as we know, the pressure was less on the shoulders since the vanquished will still have a chance of salvation. Some highlights with Lugano who was able to play almost four minutes in a row on the numerical superiority, before Santeri Alatalo scores 1 to 0.
Lugano, overall, is superior but the Leventins will gain strength in the game. From mid-match, the debates were balanced and the HCAP could even have claimed an equalizer after 40 minutes. It will never come, despite the hard work of the final period. When Daniel Carr scored 2-0 in the 55th minute, the players of Luca Cereda felt a great injustice, partially erased by Dario Bürgler 91 seconds from the siren.
We still needed a small goal to obtain a (perhaps) saving overtime, a chance annihilated by Arttu Ruotsalainen in the empty cage. Here is Ambrì-Piotta called to face Biel to reach the playoffs. HC Lugano maintained its invincibility in the series for the 8th time against the cantonal rival. He will find himself in the quarter-finals of the playoffs against a vengeful Gottéron.
The pre-match