NLA – Semi-finals reached

12 to 3 and 9 to 3 were the results of the SHC Belpa 1107 in the round robin games vs the SHC Bonstetten-Wettswil. With this, the roles were attributed clearly for the quarterfinals. The Bernese entered the series standing far above their opponents from Zurich. The situation seemed well defined. But this kind of initial positions are dangerous. The problem may arise, that a team already looks ahead on the next round instead of focussing on the directly upcoming task. The role of the presumed underdog is very different. Such a team has nothing to lose and can enter the series without any pressure what so ever. In such situations, it is quite common for the alleged favourite to fail and to finish the season considerably earlier then expected. Aggravating the situation for Belp was the fact, that Sandro Wittwer and Stevie Alvo were injured. Both missed the first game. They war back for the second game but not yet in their best shape.   

 "Rosiny",that's the best way to describe the first match vs Bonstetten on the 19th March in Belp. The scorpions' actions lacked some concentration. As feared, some of the players were already planning had semi-finals vs Grenchen. What a difference from the guest team. Freed from all pressure, the acted obstinately and caused the scorpions many troubles. Furthermore, Belp was not very concentrated when being in front of the adverse net. Finally, in the 16th minute the home squad was able to take the lead. Marc Müller opened the score in Belps first power play of the game.

At the begin of the central periode, the guest could act for 40 seconds with two men more. They weren’t successful. What didn’t work with 5 vs 3 worked with 5 vs 4. At 21:27 Beat Hediger tied the game for his colours. The scorpions' reaction followed almost immediat4ly. A little bit more than a minute after the equalizer, Pascal Kohler did not give any chance to excellent Nicolas Gehrig in the net of Bonstetten and propelled the ball into the net. Belp was up by one goal again. This goal did not change the way the home team was playing. The game burbled along. There were only few scoring opportunities. Sortly before the end of the period, the scorpions scored their third goal. In the second power play of the day, Müller marked the 3 to 1 for his colours. Was this already a preliminary decision?    

Well, apparently this was exactly what the home squad was thinking, and promptly Belp missed the begin of the third period. A quick break away of the guest, Belps players follow hesitantly only, and Fabian Schwizer scored the second goal for Bonstetten. Shortly after a penalty was inflicted against the scorpions. Belps box acted somewhat unfortunate. At 44:08 Dardan Osmani tied the game, defeating Nick Leuenberger in Belps net. In this encounter, the spectator hardly saw a difference in the potential of both teams. But whenever the scorpions sustained a blowback, the showed their class for just a short period of time. Less than a minute after the equalizer, Alessio Faina brought his colours up again. Four minutes later, Belp could play its third power play of the day. Again, the special team was successful. Alessio Faina marked the 5 to 3. 55 seconds later Iwan Kohler added another goal, giving the scorpions a 6 to 3 lead. The Bernes focused now on the defensive work. Bonstetten was not able to increase the speed of its play, and was there for not able to bring Belp into serious troubles. With six seconds left on the clock, the guest scored one goal more, but it came far too late to alter the outcome of the game.

For the re-match at Bonstetten, the home team lined up but ten players. However, or probably exactly therefore, the Bernese were struggling again. In the third minute, Benjamin Wallin opened the score, bringing his colours 1 to 0 a head. Even if Fabian Bohnenblust tied the game shortly after, the scorpions did not really satisfy their own expectation – exactly like six days before. At least, Oliver Schawohl gave Belp the lead marking in the 13 minute of the game.

At the begin of the second period Dennis Nydegger scored another for Belp. Like in the first game of the series, the 3 to 1 lead turned out to be poison for Belps game. At 26:09 Beat Hediger marked the 2 to 3. It looked like the home squad would come back into the game. But this was not the case. Once more Belp showed its class. One minute and seven seconds after the goal the brought hope back into the ranks of Bonstetten, the game was decided. Schawohl, Fabian Bohnenblust and Franceso Faina increased the lead to 6 to 2 for the scorpions. This done, Belp fell back into its lethargy. From that moment, the second 20 minutes of the game passed without any further highlights. The home team had to opportunity to play almost one minute with 5 vs 3, but wasn't able to make profit of this last chance to come back into the game. Belps box and goalkeeper Nick Leuenberger had mastered this final tricky moment.

In the opening minute of the third period, the scorpions increased the speed. Sandro Wittwer and Francesco Faina scored the seventh and the eighth goal. With this, even the slightest remaining doubt about the outcome of the game and the series was waived away. Until the end of the game, Wittwer and Alessio Faina marked for Belp, while Dan Tschudin added another goal for Bonstetten. In the end, the scorpions won 10 to 2 and moved up to the semi-finals. They did it not in a very glorious way, but nevertheless clear and merited.

Now Belp can focus on the series vs the SHC Grenchen-Limpachtal. And focus and total concentration are necessary to throw the whales out of the championship. The first game will take place Saturday 1^st April 2pm (8am Eastern) in Grenchen. The series will continue on the 8^th April (2pm/8am) in Belp. A third game would be plaid already the next day, Sunday 9^th April in Grenchen (2pm/8am). A live ticker will be provided on www.swiss-streethockey.ch