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Epic comeback falls short

This was the kind of match that Zug need to win, with the play-offs just around the corner, but at least they can say that they made a match of it. Having found themselves 4-1 down to perennial powerhouses Berne with six minutes to go, they somehow managed to drag themselves back into the match, score three goals and take the match into overtime, but when it came to a shootout they could not secure the extra point.
 
The thrilling comeback in front of a capacity crowd should not obscure the fact that after 54 minutes, EVZ were 4-1 down, at home. Patrick Oppliger, who has announced that he will be retiring at the end of the season, halved the deficit temporarily towards the end of the first period after SCB had scored two early goals – one at even strength, one on the power play – but within seconds Berne had restored their two-goal lead, making it 3-1 as Andy Wozniewski and goalie Jussi Markkanen got in each other's way in front of the net.
 
Another power play to the visitors made it 4-1 at the end of the second period, and then Zug failed to capitalise on three consecutive power plays in the third period. With six minutes to go, it looked like it was curtains for EVZ, and then the comeback began. Teenage sensation Dominic Lammer, who had started the evening on the second line with Björn Christen and Esa Pirnes (with Glen Metropolit given a rest), found himself on the fourth line but nevertheless made it 4-2 after a scramble in front of the net. This gave Zug added hope, and within seconds the top line had made it 4-3, as Fabian Schnyder tried to set up Damien Brunner but found his pass deflected into the net!
 
Pirnes was shunted up to the top line for the final shift, and with Brunner he managed to create enough uncertainty in front of the goal for Holden to equalize with 72 seconds remaining. Little of note happened in overtime, so it went to penalties and Zug came up just short, Brunner scoring but the other four missing out, and Markkanen managing to turn aside "only" three.
 
The point keeps Zug just clear of Davos (who defeated Fribourg) at the top of the league, but the boys in blue will need to defeat lowly Langnau on Saturday night to remain on track and maintain top spot in the league, with just seven matches in the regular season remaining.
 
Drew Lilley

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