ZSC 4:1 VLR | ZSC Lions - Vålerenga Oslo (Champions League)

Champions League

Vitkovice – Ingolstadt	5:1 (end)	\|	Třinec – Bern	7:0 (end)	\|	Tappara – Stavanger	7:3 (end)
Kuopio – Sparta	4:5 (2:3 after SO)	\|	Köln – Košice	2:1 (end)	\|	Vienna – Färjestad	4:1 (end)
Krefeld – Skellefteå	1:2 (end)	\|	Zürich – Vålerenga	4:1 (end)	\|	Genève – Frölunda	4:3 (end)
Briançon – Villach	1:2 (end)	\|	Zug – SaiPa	1:2 (end)	\|	Liberec – Kärpät	3:4 (end)
SønderjyskE – IFK Helsinki	4:5 (0:2 after SO)	\|	Djurgården – Fribourg	5:4 (after OT)	\|	Växjö – Mannheim	6:1 (end)

final

ZSC Lions

4:1 (1:1, 1:0, 2:0)

Vålerenga Oslo

Thursday 21.08.2014, 19:45 • Kunsteisbahn Im Chreis • Champions League

		Welcome. This game starts at 19:45 CET.
		Hello and welcome to the start of the Champions Hockey League! This evening we have ZSC Lions Zurich against Valerenga Oslo coming up for you, a tie that could turn out to be very intriguing.
		The Champions Hockey League is a tournament which finally brings the cream of the European crop together to decide who really is top dog of the continent. This may be the inaugural season of the revamped competition, but all the signs are there to suggest it's going to be a real success.
		Today's hosts ZSC Lions Zurich are the current Swiss champions, and are without doubt the favorites to get started in the tournament with a victory. Their Norwegian opponents Valerenga Oslo reached the final of the Ligaen playoffs, and they will be confident of causing a stir here in Switzerland.
		Both of these teams are in Group B, which also contains Farjestad Karlstad and the Vienna Capitals. You have to say that Zurich and Farjestad are the two stand out teams, but a lot of will depend on just how teams get started in the competition.
		Starting lineups: ZSC Lions Zurich: Flueler (Schlegel)- Geering, Blindenbacher, Schappi, Trachsler, Zangger- Seger, Smith, Nilsson, Shannon, Keller- Bergeron, Tabacek, Cunti, Baltisberger, Wick- Schnyder, Bastl, Neuenschwander, Fritsche, Kuenzle Vålerenga Oslo: Soeberg (Jensen)- Braeck, Bonsaksen, Karterud, Ask, Stene- Csiszar, Follestad Johansen, Broems, Salsten, Lindstrom- Lyngset, Hilt Joergensen, Juell. Hoel, Gunnarson- Kuntsen Referees: L. Öhlund (SWE), S. Eichman (SUI) – R. Kaderli (SUI), A. Kohler (AUT).
Both teams are now emerging out on to the ice, and it's time for the Champions Hockey League faceoff in Zurich!
	00:01	Game started.
	00:03	Here we go! We may be playing at a small arena in Switzerland, but there are plenty of fans here!
	01:05	The hosts are the first to cause trouble in the attacking zone and they've drawn a penalty from Valerenga, Niklas Broems for interference has been called
	02:14	Mark Bastl charges in down the left flank, on the faceoff circle goes for a testing wrister into the far corner but it's gloved by the goaltender
	02:26	Goal for Zürich! The puck is slapped in from the point through traffic, and CHRIS BALTISBERGER deflects it in right in front of Steffen Soeberg! Powerplay goal and it's 1-0! Assisted by: Severin Blindenbacher
Chris BALTISBERGER - 1:0
	04:14	Valerenga are doing well here taking the sting out of the game, they won't want to get blown away already
	04:25	Nilsson! Zurich all of a sudden have a two on one for themselves, Robert Nilsson on the left opts to shoot himself but he wrists wide of the right hand post! He should have hit the target there!
	05:54	Chris Baltisberger sniffing around for any rebounds on the crease neatly deflects it on target as it popped out from the goalkeeper, but Steffen Soeberg recovers well to freeze!
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	07:16	Slapshots from the blue line are causing serious problems for Valerenga, as the puck flashes its way across goal from the right but no one can make a telling touch for Zurich!
	08:34	Zurich move offside as they're making all the attacking moves so far, Valerenga can't take hold of possession as yet.
	09:01	Lukas Flueler makes a very dangerous play behind his net teasing his opponent with the puck, but he's almost stripped of it!
	11:34	Valerenga get something going as Morten Ask falling into the crease attempts to get something on it, but a combination of the defence and Lukas Flueler clear the danger!
	14:05	It's been a quiet few minutes with neither team able to hold the puck in their opponents' zone for a prolonged amount of time, Valerenga look to have ridden the early Zurich storm.
	15:44	Mike Kuenzle beating his opponent for sheer space on the right wrists in on net looking for the near post, but it lacks power and the netminder takes claim.
	16:47	Zurich move offside and make a hand pass at the same time leaving the referee no choice but to blow on the play
	17:16	Goal for Vålerenga! With their first big chance of the game the Norwegians are on the board! JORGEN KARTERUD takes up the puck on an awkward angle to the right of the slot, cuts in and sneaks it in off the far post! It's 1-1! Assisted by: David Braeck.
Jorgen KARTERUD - 1:1
	19:00	Zurich won't be happy at all about conceding but we are now into the final minute of an interesting opening period.
	19:51	With both teams ready to skate off to the locker room the buzzer is about to sound
	20:00	1st period finished.
		Zurich started off much the better side notching up a powerplay marker to give themselves the early lead, but Valerenga slowly calmed the game right down and got themselves back on terms. A very tight second period should be awaiting us!
	20:01	Start of 2nd period.
	20:31	Here we go in the second stanza! Zurich will be looking to set the early tempo just as they did in the first! And Valerenga drift offside immediately
	20:51	Roman Wick backhands the puck across goal with real pace pinned up by the right hand boards, and with it flying around everywhere Steffen Soeberg covers!
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	21:23	Marc-Andre Bergeron cracks a one timer from the point, but it travels well wide of the left hand post!
	21:53	Goal for Zürich! Just like in the opening period Zurich are lightning quick out of the blocks! Steffen Soeberg can only pad out a low wrister from the left hand boards, and at the far post RYAN KELLER is there to tap home! It's 2-1! Assisted by: Robert Nilsson, Ryan Shannon.
Ryan KELLER - 2:1
	22:28	Derek Smith of Zurich for cross checking has handed Valerenga an immediate opportunity to get back on terms for the second time today
	23:35	The falling Morten Ask almost plays in Jorgen Karterud one on one, but the latter just can't take in the pass!
	24:28	Zurich looked solid on that penalty kill and they're back at full strength
	24:58	There's a rather strange incident here, as straight after a goalmouth scramble by the Zurich net an extra puck is chucked on to the ice by some fans! An argument looks on the verge of breaking out, but the referees calm the situation down!
	26:08	Lukas Flueler calmly bats away a high wrist shot from the right faceoff circle as Valerenga look to build up some pressure
	26:51	It's now Steffen Soeberg's turn to work as with real difficulty he keeps out two heavy slappers from distance! The tempo has certainly been upped!
	27:56	The shots are so far 16-8 in Zurich's favour, and we have a short stoppage here as Valerenga's net has got dislodged as Robert Nilsson almost skated in clean through!
	28:48	Juell! Rasmus Juell is left all alone by the Zurich defence as he finds space for himself on the left, but he takes on the shot early and fires into the goaltender's midriff!
	29:43	Steffen Soeberg does really well here to somehow keep the puck out of his net! Ryan Keller practically on the goal line is hacking away for it, but a the goaltender and his defence heroically keep it out!
	31:21	Roman Wick taking up the puck on the left cuts in to the slot, and his pacy attempt is deflected up and over by the goalkeeper!
	32:30	The Valerenga net is simply under siege as now a slapshot through traffic looks to cannon off the right hand post! And the home side have earnt a powerplay for themselves, for high sticking Brede Csiszar has been sent to the penalty box
	33:59	On the right faceoff circle Roman Wick winds up, but his strong effort looking for the five hole is fielded well by Steffen Soeberg
		Follow the official Facebook profiles of Champions Hockey League and 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey Championship and keep being informed.
	34:30	Valerenga didn't let their opponents cause any real danger and they're back at full strength again
	35:07	Twisting around the net Niklas Broems whips the puck around from the tip of the crease, but after a couple of deflections Lukas Flueler gloves it blocker side
	35:59	The puck gets dumped in from deep in the left, and with attackers closing him down Lukas Flueler freezes for a faceoff
	36:56	Wick! Seconds after Mike Kuenzle sent the puck dangerously across goal from the right it's a Zurich two on one, from the left it's dished to the open Roman Wick but he's denied superbly as Steffen Soeberg flashes leather!
	37:53	Zurich will spent almost the whole of the remainder of the second stanza on the powerplay, as Alexander Bonsaksen of Valerenga for interference has been penalised
	39:09	The second set of 20 minutes is drawing to its close as Zurich cannot get set up in the attacking zone at all
	39:33	Joergensen! Shorthanded Anders Hilt Joergensen on the right has a two on one, he opts to shoot himself but he can only smack the netminder's pads!
	39:53	As Valerenga come back to full strength we're now into the final seconds of a pacy second period
	40:00	2nd period finished.
		Just like in the opening period Zurich came flying out of the blocks, and they got their reward going ahead for the second time today. Valerenga have looked dangerous on the counterattack though, and it promises to be an exciting final 20 minutes!
		Here are the statistics after the opening 40 minutes of play: Shots on target: 27-16 Saves made by the goalkeeper: 15-25 Penalty minutes: 2-6
	40:01	Start of 3rd period.
	40:59	The third and deciding period is underway! Valerenga will have to up the anti if they're to get anything from their opening Champions Hockey League game!
	41:12	Niklas Broems swings the puck across goal from the left of the crease, but with Jorgen Karterud lurking it flies right through and out!
	42:17	Valerenga commit icing as they're made a lively start to the stanza
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	42:56	Nilsson! Collecting the puck just next to the left faceoff circle Robert Nilsson opts to backhand it across, but after a freak deflection it's kicked out by Steffan Soeberg!
	44:26	Goal for Zürich! That will calm down the home side's nerves down! The puck is dug out by the boards behind the net, it's sneaked out to the right of the crease where MARK BASTL is skating in and he lifts it over the goaltender! It's 3-1! Assisted by: Dan Fritsche.
Mark BASTL - 3:1
	45:30	Valerenga are going to have to do something special do get back into it now, Zurich will be able to take complete control of the game again
	46:09	Schappi! Again the Norwegian defence is all over the place, played in at the left Reto Schappi wrists looking for the far corner but he's denied by a wonderful Steffen Soeberg glove save!
	47:38	A low wrister comes in from the right flank for Valerenga, but it's comfortable for Lukas Flueler to pad away
	49:25	We have our first fight on our hands! Mathias Seger and Anders Hilt Joergensen can't quite drop the gloves before they're stopped by the referees, but both have still been sent to the penalty box! But the Norwegian for Valerenga has been punished for elbowing in the same episode, making it a Zurich four on three powerplay!
	50:19	Csiszar! Shorthanded Brede Csiszar is let through all on his own one on one, but he fires high into the netminder's body! Valenrenga can't afford to waste such chances!
	51:23	Goal for Zürich! Just as the penalty was about to expire Zurich strike again! A wonderful skate down the left flank finds SANDRO ZANGGER waiting all on his own on the slot, and he flicks the puck neatly into the right hand corner! Powerplay goal and it's 4-1! Assists- Morris Trachsler
Sandro ZANGGER - 4:1
	52:07	Dan Fritsche sprinting down into the attacking zone with power sharply cuts to the left, backhands in but the goaltender's chest fends it off! At 4-1 up they can play with more freedom now!
	54:10	For cross checking Alexander Bonsaksen of Valerenga has been handed a two minute minor as time starts to run out on his team
	54:29	Cunti! The bobbling puck falls at the stick of Luca Cunti to the left of the slot, but from almost point blank range Steffan Soeberg deflects it up and wide of the net!
	56:10	Zurich looked happy to just keep the pace of the game down there and their opponents are back at full strength
	56:28	Sandro Zangger for high sticking has given Valerenga a late powerplay chance to get something going
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	57:31	Valerenga move the puck around the zone cleverly, and the eventual effort on goal by the left hand post is solidly kicked wide by Lukas Flueler!
	58:28	With the Zurich fans singing very loudly their team is now back to full strength
	58:42	Not for long though. For slashing Reto Schappi of Zurich has left his team on the penalty kill for the remainder of the game
	59:27	Alexander Bonsaksen wrists it in from the blue line, and with players standing all around him Lukas Flueler does very well to get something on it!
	59:56	It's now the final seconds with ZSC Lions Zurich heading for an expert opening Champions Hockey League win on home ice!
	60:00	Game over.
		There's the final buzzer, and in an entertaining encounter ZSC Lions Zurich have seen off Valerenga Oslo 4-1 in the opening match of the Champions Hockey League! The hosts dominated for long periods with Chris Baltisberger, Ryan Keller, Mark Bastl and Sandro Zangger all scoring. Jorgen Karterud got the only marker for Valerenga. Thanks for following the game with us, and see you again soon for more thrilling Champions Hockey League action! (22:11:49)

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Commentary by

Shaun Nicolaides

Goals & lineups Match log

Goals and assists: 3. Baltisberger (Blindenbacher), 22. Keller (Nilsson, Shannon), 45. Bastl (Fritsche), 52. Zangger (Trachsler) – 18. Karterud (Braeck)

ZSC Lions: Flueler (Schlegel)- Geering, Blindenbacher, Schappi, Trachsler, Zangger- Seger, Smith, Nilsson, Shannon, Keller- Bergeron, Tabacek, Cunti, Baltisberger, Wick- Schnyder, Bastl, Neuenschwander, Fritsche, Kuenzle

Vålerenga Oslo: Soeberg (Jensen)- Braeck, Bonsaksen, Karterud, Ask, Stene- Csiszar, Follestad Johansen, Broems, Salsten, Lindstrom- Lyngset, Hilt Joergensen, Juell. Hoel, Gunnarson- Kuntsen

Referees: L. Öhlund (SWE), S. Eichman (SUI) – R. Kaderli (SUI), A. Kohler (AUT)

1st period
	01:05
	02:26
	17:16
1st intermission
2nd period
	21:53
	22:28
	32:30
	37:53
2nd intermission
3rd period
	44:26
	49:25
	51:23
	54:10
	56:28
	58:42
Final