Zug,27.01.2009

Fischer: "Power play letting us down"

EVZ played well in the first and last periods against Berne on Sunday, but what went wrong in between?

Patrick Fischer: It's always annoying to let two goals in so quickly (in the 32nd and 33rd minutes). We started well but then got over-confident, and that cost us four goals.

It again seemed to be a poor power play effort that sparked off the collapse. What is Zug doing wrong in this respect?

Fischer: The way we are playing with a man advantage is what is letting us down at the moment. We need to work on it more in training and make some real improvements, particularly since next weekend (seventh-placed Fribourg at home and eighth-placed Langnau away) is going to define our season.

Were you surprised at how Berne managed to step up the pressure in the second period?

Fischer: It was more a case of us not doing our defensive work and giving the opposition chances to hit us on the break. We were looking to open the scoring and started attacking more, meaning that we got away from the system we had in place.

Why is it so tough to beat Berne?

Fischer: I really don't know. At home, we dominated them and still lost, and whenever we play them away, (goalkeeper Marco) Bührer always seems to be on top form and it's tough to get the puck past him. We didn't make the most of our chances though.

Finally, on a personal note, what were the reasons behind your retirement from international hockey?

Fischer: I hadn't played in any of the big tournaments since 2006 and last November (when Fischer was last called up to the Swiss squad), I could sense that I had lost some of the hunger and motivation. It's time for the younger generation to take over now.