ZSC Lions Zurich are headed home with a three-goal aggregate lead after a 4-1 win in Wolfsburg. Read more in Gamecentre. 

Last season, ZSC Lions Zurich went out in the Round of 32 after winning their group. This year, they've taken a step towards making sure that doesn't happen again by winning 4-1 against CHL newcomers Grizzlys Wolfsburg.

Zurich meant business right from the opening faceoff, and dominated the early going. It took just 79 seconds for them to get on the board, when Roman Wick found Luca Cunta streaking to the far post for the tip in as goalie Sebastian Vogl slid across. The goal was dislodged and video replay was needed, but the goal stood. But then Wolfsburg got a couple of power plays and turned the momentum in their favour. They got several shots on Lukas Flueler, but the Zurich goalie was his team's best penalty killer and kept the Grizzlys off the board. After killing off two penalties, Zurich scored on their first power play late in the opening period, when Mattias Sjogren finished off a pretty three-way passing play, and it was 2-0 after one.

The last 40 minutes were all Zurich, outshooting Wolfsburg 25-9. The two teams traded goals just 13 seconds apart late in the second period. First Wolfsburg cut the deficit in half when Tyson Mulock's shot from the point was deflected in front by Brent Aubin, but then Robert Nilsson got it back immediately with a nice wrist shot. 

Wolfsburg did get a chance to close the gap again in the third when Gerrit Fauser was awarded a penalty shot, but he was denied by Flueler. Then with less than seven minutes to play, Patrk Bartschi scored Zurich's second power-play goal of the game on a rebound. 

That leaves Zurich in a good position, leading by three goals and heading home.

“They were really strong, but we found a way to win,” said Zurich coach Hans Wallson. “We were good at scoring goals on the power play, and that was the key. It’s a really good result for us and I am very happy about it. We're in a good situation, but we still have to work hard and confirm it in the second game.”

“We have to show a better effort in the second game,” said Wolfsburg coach Pavel Gross. “We have to stay out of the penalty box and make our passing better. We still have a chance and will go there to win and advance to the next round.”