Swiss national team, netminder Leonardo Genoni was understandably down after his side lost the IIHF World Championships Final on penalty shots to Sweden last night.
The SC Bern starter, who has played in 32 Champions Hockey League games for Bern and HC Davos combined, said after the game: "We were so close. We were one shot away in overtime and we had better chances. That makes it hurt more."
It's been a 'nearly' season for the 30-year-old, whose domestic side won the Swiss Regular Season but then bowed out early in the playoffs. They were also eliminated from the CHL in the Quarter-Final stage, despite taking a one-goal lead to Växjö. "When you see them celebrating, it just really hurts - it wasn't meant to be, but maybe next time". No less than nine players from the Swiss team are on teams taking part in next season's CHL - over half having spent this past year in Bern.
While Genoni and his teammates felt the pain on one side of the ice, the other was full of jubilation. None more so than young forward Elias Pettersson. Unable to play with a broken finger, Pettersson watched on as his side took the gold medal. This means the 19-year-old now has SHL and World titles this season, and a runners-up medal from the Champions Hockey League.