Lugano & Frölunda tied after first game
Pathrik Westerholm rounds Elvis Merzlikins to put the Indians ahead (Photo: Alessandro Crinari)
Henrik Haapala celebrates tying the game (Photo: Alessandro Crinari)
Merzlikins with the glove save (Photo: Alessandro Crinari)
Lugano's Matteo Romanenghi and Frölunda's Rhett Rakhshani battling (Photo: Alessandro Crinari)
Lugano's Giovanni Morini fights for the puck with Frölunda’s Ponthus Westerholm (Photo: Alessandro Crinari)
- Top Scorer Hoffman gets assist for Lugano
- Merzlikins saves 97.50% of shots
- Lowest scoring game of the round
Just the two goals in Lugano means that these sides will start off level when they meet again in Gothenburg on 20 November for the return leg.
After a scoreless first period, the deadlock was eventually brocken with 25:46 played - Frölunda's Pathrik Westerholm pulling a move on Elvis Merzlikins before going high into the net for 1-0.
That lead only lasted a little under 13 minutes though as the Swiss side drew level. LGT Top Scorer Gregory Hoffman's pass out in front went through the crease and traffic for a delighted Henrik Haapala to slot home and tie things up with 38:21 gone.
No further goals, despite the Indians outshooting their hosts 40-22, means we head back to Gothenburg in a few weeks all square.
"We have to thank our goalie Elvis Merzlikins who was awesome in the first period. I think the longer the game went on, we were able to rise our level and matched them."Julian Walker (Forward, HC Lugano)