Playoff, Season 2010/2011

Oberwil Rebells win first game

The reigning champion from Oberwil wins at home 7 to 4 and are takes the lead in the series.

The scorpions were the clear outsider in this series against the Oberwil Rebells who won the five last Swiss championships. On this sunny Sunday afternoon, there was not much of a difference to be seen on the rink. Both teams acted rather defensively, trying not to take too much risk. The better power play of the team from the province of Zug finally decided this first game.

As expected, the game began totally different from the cup final two weeks ago in Thun. Instead of an offensive firework both team were focused on the defence. Furthermore due to the hot weather with temperatures around 25 °C (77 °F), the balls became quite soft. These conditions clearly hampered the normally excellent passing game of both teams. Belp had two power play opportunities in the opening period, but wasn't able to make profit out of them. The only dangerous situation for the hosts arose, when Sandro Wittwer hit the crossbar. This is very unusual for Belp that normally has a quite strong power play. The Rebells, know for the best power play of the league, made it somewhat better, when they could play with on man more for the first time. They established a quit good passing game, but then Tyler McFadden intercepted one of these passes and scored the first goal for the scorpions.

Early in the second period Oberwil was attributed another power play. This time they did everything right. Patrick Wismer was able to overcome Michel Mäder for the first time in this game on a nice pass from Andrew Hildreth. Shortly before half of the game was over, Thomas Bosshard gave his colours the first lead in this game. He scored only seconds before the end of a two minutes four vs two power play, a pity, as Belp really fought hard to kill those two coincidental penalties. But the scorpions reacted almost immediately. Nicola Fuchs with a slap shot in power play and less then a minute latter with a nice move against Oberwils' keeper Stefan Sidler, gave Belp the lead back. Unfortunately, Belp took too much risk in the next shift, acted too offensive and was immediately penalised by the host, who equalized the game again only 24 seconds later. Now both teams focused once more on the defence. No more goals were scored in this period. Belp had several good opportunities to score again, especially on power play, but the Rebells keeper plaid an excellent game and prevented his team from being scored at.

Until the 8th minute of the third period Andrew Hildreth had scored twice for the host, breaking Belps neck. The guests were working hard to come back into the game, but as they took too many penalties, they denied themselves any chance of winning the game. All in all Oberwil won the game easier then they might have expected after 40 minutes. It is one of the strenght of this team, that they are able to punish their opponents for the smallest mistakes. Fabian Keiser added one goal mor for the Rebells with 8 minutes left on the clock. Some hope came back for Belp, when Ronny Strähler deflected a shot from Daniel Fahrni to the 6 to 4. But with a rather unfortunate penalty two minutes befor the end of the game, Belps hopes faded away. Tibor Kapánek scored the last goal of a good and exciting game.

Belp proved on that day, that Oberwil can be beaten, if Belp works concentrated during sixty minutes. Next Saturday, Belp will have the possibility to prove this and to force the Rebells into a third game.