Read below for information on the Round of 16 series between ZSC Lions Zurich and HC Lugano. ZSC won on aggregate 6-5 in overtime to advance to the Quarter-Finals.
HCL 3–2 ZSC
Game 1
1. 11., 19:45 CET
ZSC 4–2 HCL
Game 2
9. 11., 19:45 CET
Preview
The match-up between ZSC Lions Zurich and HC Lugano marks a first for the CHL, as two Swiss clubs go head to head. ZSC have the greater history of the two, and while Lugano were the better team in the 1980s and '90s, the Lions have once again returned to prominence in the 21st century with five Swiss titles, compared to two for Lugano. The millennium started with victories by Zurich over Lugano in the finals two straight years. However, Lugano orchestrated a monumental comeback in the 2003-04 semi-finals, erasing an 0-3 deficit in games to win the series. Internationally, Lugano's best accomplishment came in 1999-2000 when they reached the European Hockey League's semi-finals, where they lost in overtime to Sparta Prague. However, Zurich topped that nine years later when they won the original Champions Hockey League, defeating Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the finals.
Last season, ZSC finished 1st in the regular season and Lugano 5th, although both teams met their end at the hand of SC Bern – Zurich in the quarter-finals and Lugano in the finals. This season, the Lions are again on top, with Lugano sitting 6th. They've met once so far, with Zurich winning 4-1 on home ice 20 September.
Closer look: ZSC Lions Zurich
(5-1-0-0, 14 points, 20:6)
Cohesive team play, stingy defence, great goaltending and timely scoring were the reasons that the ZSC Lions dominated Group D. Their sweep of the home-and-away with ERC Ingolstad by scores of 2-0 and 4-1 didn't shock anybody, but taking five of six points from Lukko Rauma was impressive. First in Finland they built up a 2-0 lead in the first period, then let it get away in the third before winning in a shootout. To prove that was no fluke, they shut out last year's CHL semi-finalists 2-0 back in Switzerland. Against Grizzlys Wolfsburg they were simply dominant, winning each game by three goals. Now comes an interesting test against a domestic opponent.
Chris
Baltisberger
4+1, +3
Top Forward & CRAMO Top Scorer: Chris Baltisberger had a great start to this year's CHL season – twice he scored the game-winning goal and he has improved overall compared to last season. Playing on the same line with Robert Nilsson has helped both players with Nilsson the set-up man and Baltisberger the goal-scorer. Nilsson was the Lions' top scorer last season, and both have 5 points after six games this year, as does Roman Wick. Domestically it's the same three leading the way, with Wick on top.
Severin
Blindenbacher
1+3, +3
Top Defenceman: 33-year-old Severin Blindenbacher has been a solid defender for the Lions over the last decade with three NLA titles, a CHL title in 2008-09 and a World Championship silver medal in 2013. He also played a season each with Farjestad Karlstad in Sweden and the Texas Stars in the USA during that time. Next to captain Mathias Seger, he's the most experienced defenceman on a team that has many young d-men that need the guidance and experience he provides. Offensively, he leads Zurich d-men in both the CHL and NLA.
Lukas
Flueler
96.26 %
Top Goaltender: Lukas Flueler has been the Lions' starting goalie since 2010-11, but last season was a difficult one for 27-year-old goaltender. After a great start in the NLA last season, an injury kept him away from the game for eight weeks. His comeback didn't last very long – 25 minutes into the game, he had to leave the ice once again and didn't return until the first round of the playoffs, where the Lions lost to SC Bern in four straight games. This year, he seems stronger than ever and the injury shouldn't be a problem, he has assured multiple times. He has been nearly unbeatable in both the CHL and NLA this season, with sparkling numbers in both competitions.
Click here for team statistics.
Closer look: HC Lugano
(3-1-1-1, 12 points, 18:13)
Lugano won a very tight Group C, winning three out of four games. They started by allowing two goals in the first period in Mannheim before coming back to win 3-2. Then, after a 3-1 home loss to Tappara, they returned the favour by a win by the same score in Tampere. In their last game at home to Mannheim, they needed just a point to secure their place in the next round – they got it with a tying goal from Patrik Zackrisson in the dying seconds, then secured the group win with an overtime power-play goal by Linus Klasen. Despite dealing with several injuries on defence, they prevailed in the Round of 32 against HC Pilsen – first they won 4-1 at home, meaning a 3-3 draw in the return game was enough to send them through.
Patrik
Zackrisson
3+3, +3
Top Forward & CRAMO Top Scorer: Swedish centre Patrick Zackrisson is Lugano's top scorer in the CHL with 6 points in six games, tied with Dario Buergler – both players are in their first season in Lugano. Zackrisson spent the last two seasons in Skelleftea, where he also played in the CHL. After a career split between Sweden and the KHL, Zackrisson has found it more difficult scoring in the NLA. Domestically, it's two other Swedes that lead the team – Tony Martensson and Linus Klasen, who form the team's top line along with Damien Brunner. With a lot of offensive weapons, this is a team that's hard to shut down.
Stefan
Ulmer
0+3, +4
Top Defenceman: A rash of injuries have forced Lugano to become create on defence, and yet they've survived. Clarence Kparghai, Julien Vauclair and Philippe Furrer missed the Round of 32. Kparghai is still out, as is captain Alessandro Chiesa – although the latter might be back for the Round of 16. That puts a lot of resonsibility on the rest of the crew, the best of which might be Stefan Ulmer. The 25-year-old leads the team in points by a defenceman and plus/minus in both the CHL and NLA. Recent addition Ryan Wilson has also been a godsend, adding some much-needed depth and physicality.
Elvis
Merzlikins
94.53 %
Top Goaltender: Elvis Merzlikins came to Lugano at age 15 to further his goaltending career. Last season, at age 21, he became the starting goalie on the pro team, and he's also one of the goalies on the Latvian national team. Although an injury slowed the start to his season, his statistics have been very good in the games he's played, and he now seems to be back in top form. Veteran Daniel Manzato filled in capably during Merzlikins's absence, and is ready to step in if needed, giving the team a solid one-two punch in goal.