NLA – The Return of the Scorpions (english version)

"Rebells outclassed their opponents in the finals", this was the headline of the "Zuger Zeitung" after the first game of the series. Unfortunately, we have to admit, that this title perfectly reflected the game plaid on 23rd April. The scorpions got quite a caning in Zug. There had been no signs of resistance against the defeat. Worse still, after Sandro Wittwer injured his ankle in game one, a win of the scorpions in game two seemed to slip far beyond reach. But, you should never write off a scorpion. Biology teaches us, that even a crippled and injured scorpion should never be underestimated. He is always capable to stick at lightning speed and unexpected with his venomous sting.

There was great ball hockey weather on the 29^th April in Belp. The sun was shining, but it was rather cold for late April. The majestic mountains of the Bernese Oberland, covered by fresh fallen snow, were the perfect stage for a great sports event. And, it was a busy day on Belp's rink. In the morning, the tier 3 team of the scorpions won its second game in the semi-finals. With this win, the team of coach Reto Schori was already the third squad of the SHC Belpa 1107 to move up to the final series of its category. As not only the NLA team plays for the title but the juniors A (U18) as well. Opponent in the final of the tier 3 will be the SHC Diabla from Dorénaz in the province of Valais.

At 2 pm, after the strains of the Swiss psalter, the ball dropped for the second game in the final series. The intention of the visitors was obvious. The game they wanted to decide the game as fast as possible. The Bernese should not even have the chance to think about winning the game. The scorpions tried to prevent an early pre-decision. However, the team from Zug made the music. In the 12th minute, the first goal was scored in a game that was fair but rich in penalties. Severin Meier overcame Belp's keeper Sven Hofmann in power play, bringing his colours one up. In the 17^th minute, Christoph Stocker scored the second goal for the visitors; a penalty against Jim Zingg had just expired. With being two goals ahead, many of the Rebells thought their work of the day to be finished. It looked like they did not expect any serious resistance by the Scorpions. The first goal for Belp, marked by Marc Müller with one minute left in the first period did not change this attitude. The goal occurred, while Belp was playing on power play.

Right in the opening minutes of the second period, the scorpion's sting struck unexpected and hard in the Rebells' body. The host sent the clear message, that they were far from ready to hand the cup to Oberwil without any resistance. 30 seconds were plaid in the central period, when Stevie Alvo tied the game. And things should yet become more favourable for the Bernese. In the 27^th minute Fabian Bohnenblust brought the host 3 to 2 in power play. Only 40 seconds later, the two junior players Mikel Fairclough and Dennis Nydegger got over Oberwils defence, US national team player Andrew Hildreth and former Swiss team captain Mats Beiersdörfer, and scored the 4 to 2. The Rebells had totally lost control of the game. Moreover, they had trouble in coming back. In the same time, the scorpion-express gained speed. Only one minute after the 4 to 2, Fabian Bohnenblust scored another goal for the Bernese. And in the 35^th minute it was Bohnenblust again who put the score at 6 to 2. But, the Rebells slowly found their way back into the game. With a little bit more than three minutes to play in the second period, Andrew Hildreth reduced the gap to three goals. Then, the game became somewhat messy. After Pascal Kohler and Thomas Hohl got some minor penalties, the situation on the rink turned hectic. The coach of the team from Zug got het up by this decision of the referees. He behaved in a way, the referees sent him with a match penalty into the locker room. This gave Belp the opportunity to play five minutes in power play and to decide the game. Unfortunately, injured Sandro Wittwer was terribly missed in the power play of the scorpions. Somehow, Belp did not come into the gears in this situation. For more than one minute, Belp could play even with 5 vs 3, but no scoring happened.

In the opening minutes of the third period, it looked like things would eventually turn out well for the scorpions. At 41:05 Stevie Alvo marked the 7 to 3 for the host who plaid still 5 vs 4 at this moment. But soon, mischief slowly but unstoppable creeped on the rink. At 42:17 Adam Rousal could reduce the gap to three goals, while his squad was still playing in inferiority. A Bernese defender deflected unluckily a shot of the Czech national team player was by in his own net. A three goals advantage can be a good basis for a win in ball hockey. But, a three goals advantage can melt away like snow in May. Especially if you play the Oberwil Rebells, who probably is the best ball hockey team of the world. Sorry Red Lite, if you see it different, you have to come to Europe and prove that the author of these lines is wrong. Anyway, the team from Zug was now definitively back in the game. The expulsion of their coach finalley woke up the Rebells' fighting spirit. They more and more forced the host back into their own zone. The Bernese with their thin squad now paid for their effort in the second period. A penalty against Alessio Faina allowed to visitors to score their fourth goal. It was Yves Stucki, who sunk the ball in the knitting behind Hofmann in the 47^th minute. With this, the team from Zug definitively believed in its chance to win the game. Slowly but constantly the scorpions were wrestled down. In the 48^th minute, Yanick Müller brought his colours back in reach. 10 seconds after the final change of the sides, Thomas Hohl equalised the game.   

For a last time, the hosts reared, made head against the defeat and tried to postpone the end of the season for another week. But the Rebells were now unstoppable. At 54:20 Hohl gave his colours the lead. The scorpions fought on, trying to ram their sting once more in the Rebells' legs. The believed in yet another turnover was still strong in their minds. In the end, it was the long-standing experience of Oberwil, which decided the game finally. With two and a half minutes on the clock, Raphael Melliger scored the 9 to 7 for his squad. With every second that came now off the clock, the chances for another comeback of the host melted away. The game and the series were already decided, when at 59:52 Patrick Döbeli scored the last goal, ending the ball hockey NLA season 2016/17.

The SHC Belpa 1107 congratulates the Oberwil Rebells on winning the Swiss championship. The Rebells had clearly been the better team, during the regular season as well as during the playoffs. The scorpions showed that they are a dangerous opponent for the team from Zug, if the Rebells are underperforming. But whenever Oberwil brings its full potential and its vast experience on the rink, then the Rebells are one level better than Belp. This is not a cheap excuse for the defeat. It is a fact the scorpions have to accept. Nevertheless, coach Ronny Strählers young team can look back on a successful season. It was a year, in which the young players gained a lot of experience. It was a year, in which the team showed character again and again, never giving up; as it was in the last game of the season. The scorpions came impressively back into the series. In the end, the Rebells were too strong, were too experienced … for the time being at least …

The Swiss championship 2017 could not been won. It would have been, as written I the preview, quit a sensation. Yet the scorpions still have three horses in the 2017 championship races. The U18 and the tiers 3 team are standing in the final of their respective league. The U15 team won the regular season. It is qualified directly for the semi-finals. The U12 is in the championship race too, but a qualification for the final would be at least as surprising as the qualification of the NLA team was. And last but not least, the over 30 teams is going to start the project "defending the title" in the upcoming summer.