For the first time in … 23 years, the Swiss champion will not be Bern, Zurich Lions, Davos or Lugano.
From Monday, Zug will try to win a second national title after 1998, while Genève-Servette will seek to lift its first trophy.
There is something historic about the moment. While the National League championship has been a routine for ages, 2021 sounds like a revolution. The play-off final (best of 5 matches) will crown an unprecedented winner, or almost.
Regular season winners with 119 points, a new record, Zug has the advantage of the ice. Evoking this aspect nevertheless makes it possible to avoid the question of the favorite of this duel. Because the play-offs offered a different take on what happened during the season.
Flamboyant until the start of the playoffs, Dan Tangnes’ players had to whip to get rid of Bern in the quarter-finals (4-2) and Rapperswil in the semi-finals (3-1). While on the garnet side, the initial loss to Friborg-Gottéron was followed by seven wins. The Dragons were beaten 4-1 and the Zurich Lions swept away 3-0.
Two clubs on a mission
We like to talk about a club on a mission when it comes to describing the rise of the Genevans. But this is also true for players from central Switzerland. Can we even say that it is now or never for Zug?
From next season, Dan Tangnes will in any case lose his two best defensive elements. Captain Raphael Diaz has signed for four years in Freiburg, while Santeri Alatalo is expected in Lugano. Gregory Hofmann, whose NHL rights now belong to Columbus, may also be leaving.
Finalist in 2017 and 2019, the EVZ has a golden chance to complete a cycle in style. Even if everything was not perfect, he found a way to invite himself to the final. The few weaknesses seen against the Lakers could be expensive against Geneva, especially as the men of Pat Emond approach this last rush with four days of rest more than the Zougois.
‘In the first game, the experience of a final might be a small advantage, Diaz imagines. We have to be strong defensively, that has to be our attitude. Geneva are a very good team with very good foreigners and excellent power play. On our side, we know that we haven’t had a break. But it keeps us going. ‘
Several key players
Qualified for the play-off on the final day thanks to a convincing success against Lugano and a loss from Biel to … Zug, Genève-Servette finished the championship with 35 points less than the Zougois. But the play-offs have redistributed the cards. The GSHC impresses and novice coach Pat Emond seems up to the task.
Along with Eric Fehr and Daniel Winnik, the Garnet have two high-ranking soldiers. Henrik Tömmernes has established himself as the best defender in the National League, and Linus Omark has been able to work while keeping a few magic tricks under his cloak. If we add again the quality of Tanner Richard to the commitments and the unwavering will of Noah Rod, we obtain a rather interesting mixture.
Coached then by Chris McSorley, the Eagles were beaten in the final by Zurich in 2008 and Bern in 2010. The GSHC once again has the means to fulfill its ambitions. And the Lake Geneva club could bring back the title in Romandie for the first time since 1973 and the last success of La Chaux-de-Fonds (or since 1983 and the last coronation of Bienne, depending on the point of view).
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