The final is not a surprise at all. However, the very clear results are. The ZSC Lions experienced some difficulties in the first game against the uncomfortable underdog Reinach, who had already reached their season goal with the qualification for the playoffs. In the second and third game, in which Reinach had to play without their two starting goalies, the Lions celebrated clear victories. Lugano also never trailed against Bomo Thun and decided their two home games clearly in their favor. Only in the road game, Lugano had to go to overtime and needed a little luck.
Therefore, the two best teams of the past ten years meet in the final. For Lugano, it is the 15th final in a row. Since 2004, they have won six gold and eight silver medals. Since 2009-10, their opponent were always the ZSC Lions. The team from Zurich won five of the eight clashes against Lugano. The outcome is - as in the previous years - very much open. The champions from the past two years, however, dominated their opponent Lugano in this year's regular season.
In the "small final" Bomo Thun, who won the bronze medal in Cup and Championship last season, will face Reinach. Reinach last won a medal back in 2015 (bronze). With a victory, Bomo Thun, whose original goal for this season was to reach the final, could conclude their most succesful season in club history with a silver medal in the Cup and a bronze medal in the Championship.
In the playouts, Neuchâtel Hockey Academy celebrated a 3-0 victory against Weinfelden. Twice, there was only a one-goal difference between the teams, the third game was a forfeit-victory for Neuchâtel.
Langenthal is champion of the SWHL B
In the all-decisive third game of the playoff-final, Langenthal defeated the GCK Lions with a 3-2 overtime-win and succeeded the Lions as B-champion. Nadja Gäggeler scored the game-winning goal in the 76th minute of play. It was also Gäggeler who took the lead for Langenthal in the 53rd minute, before the GCK Lions pulled their goalie and Kate Rigby was able to score the equalizer with only 25 seconds on the clock. With the championship title, Langenthal have crowned their impressive run since their founding three years ago: promotion to the SWHL B in the first year, semifinalist last year and now the championship title in the third year. Nevertheless, Langenthal will not play the League Qualification for a possible promotion to the SWHL A. They would not yet be ready, the step to the SWHL is too big, they say. In their stead, Brandis will play the League Qualification against Weinfelden.
---
SWHL A, Playoff-Halbfinal: ZSC Lions – Reinach 15:2 (6:0, 6:0, 3:2). ZSC Lions wins the series 3-0. - Lugano – Bomo Thun 5:1 (1:1, 1:0, 3:0). Lugano wins the series 3-0.
SWHL A, Playouts: Neuchâtel Hockey Academy – Weinfelden 1:0 (0:0, 1:0, 0:0). Neuchâtel wins the series 3-0 and secures their spot in the SWHL A. Weinfelden has to play the League Qualification.
SWHL B, Playoff-Final: GCK Lions – Langenthal 2:3 n.V. (1:0, 0:1, 1:1, 0:1). Langenthal wins the series 2-1 and is the new Swiss Champion.
Last Update: 12 March 2018, 08:27 AM | tme*
