Completely dominated during the initial third, Geneva undoubtedly blessed their lucky stars not to return to the locker room with an impossible deficit, having conceded the opener after only 1’26”. Subsequently, Langnau hit the uprights twice, in addition to coming up against a saving Robert Mayer. And Granlund was able to equalize shortly after the restart (23rd) to revive business.
But the joy was short. Meier’s bright pass through the garnet defense found Saarela all alone (28th). Baltisberger even showered the Genevans with a perfect wrist shot into the top corner (39th). Only a reduction in the improbable score of Praplan, the man in form of the moment, in the last second of the period, gave them hope.
Applied, Langnau thought he had taken cover by scoring 4-2 (43rd), then made the break with a goal finally canceled for offside (47th), but it was Geneva who ended up having the last word. Berni (54th), then Granlund again, who took advantage of a monumental error from Charlin 40” from the final siren, were able to offer the visitors an extension. Granlund completed his work by emerging to score the winning goal after 16” of additional play.
For his part, Ajoie had a prestigious match against the ZSC Lions. Facing the leader, the red lantern recorded its fifth success of the season, 2-1. Nättinen scored in a power play in the middle third to launch his team (24th) until Andrighetto equalized (37th). It was ultimately Devos who liberated the Ajoulots in the third third (47th).
In a very tight match, Bienne ended up losing to Zug in overtime (1-2 ap). Müller managed to respond to Zug’s first goal (21st), but Martschini was able to force the difference for the visitors just before the end of extra time (65th).
On the other rinks, Lugano won the Ticino derby against Ambri (3-1), Davos dominated Berne 6-3 in the capital and Kloten won 2-1 in Rapperswil.
