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It was either the GCK Lions or EHC Winterthur that could claim the last spot in the playoffs and as chance had it, they faced off against each other tonight. Their duel ended with a victory for the Lions who are now going up against Swiss League regular season winner EHC Basel. The last time the two met in the playoffs was 2023.
The other thing yet to be decided was whether EHC Visp or HC Sierre would have home advantage in the battle for the Valais. Thanks to a win over the GDT Bellinzona Snakes, Visp secured the fourth spot and will thus start the series at home. It is the first time the two will meet in the playoffs since 2010.
Regular season runner-up (and defending champion) HC La Chaux-de-Fonds will face EHC Olten in a reprise of the 2023 final. This season, four of the five games between them were won by La Chaux-de-Fonds, but the most recent one was a victory for the Mice.
Last but not least, an Eastern Switzerland duel awaits, with HC Thurgau facing EHC Chur. In their first season back as part of the Swiss League, Chur finished in a quite secure sixth spot. Their last Swiss League playoff series ended in a loss to Langenthal - in 2006. Their last win was in 2000, which eventually led to a promotion to the National League.
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