The Växjö Lakers have made their second straight Champions Hockey League Semi-Final with a close win over SC Bern.

Starting the night a goal down from the first leg, the Lakers didn’t hang around in trying to get back on level terms. Just 2:09 on the board when Andrew Calof struck on a rebound from close range to put the Lakers a goal ahead. However, Bern were not going to give the hosts it all their own way and duly levelled the scores. Marc Arcobello coming in at the far post on a rebound to tie the game as the visitors made use of the power play.

The second period started in the same vein as the first had – a Lakers goal. Liam Reddox at 23:42 poking the puck home as Genoni hadn’t got it covered. That lead, which meant things were tied on aggregate, the home side kept into the final period and then extended it further to go ahead overall. With 41:25 played, some crisp passing was eventually finished off by Lias Pettersson. What would then prove to be the series-winning goal followed just under three minutes later. With the Lakers skating 5-on-4, Robert Rosén fire the puck past Genoni from the face-off circle to make it 4-1 on the night – 6-4 on aggregate.

To their very big credit, Bern didn’t let up. Arcobello struck again with 6:08 to play putting the visitors within one of tying the aggregate score. However, despite a late PP and pulling the goalie, some brave shot blocking and goaltending saw the Lakers hold on for the win, and a 6-5 aggregate victory to make the Semi-Finals.