Luleå – Lukko 4:3 (2:1 after SO) | Eisbären – Zürich 3:6 (end) | Kuopio – Třinec 4:3 (2:1 after SO)
JYP – Sheffield 3:0 (end) | Zug – Tappara 0:7 (end) | Pardubice – Davos 2:3 (end)
HV71 – Salzburg 4:1 (end) | Düsseldorf – Linz 6:3 (end) | Vienna – Kärpät 0:2 (end)
Ingolstadt – Braehead 5:2 (end) | Genève – Sparta 4:3 (after OT)
final
EV Zug
0:7 (0:3, 0:2, 0:2)
Tappara Tampere
Saturday 22.08.2015, 17:00 • BOSSARD Arena • Champions League • Group 2
     
    Welcome. Game starts at 17:00.
     
    Home team EVZ will host Finnish team Tappara Tampere this Saturday at 17:00 in Zug’s state-of-the-art BOSSARD Arena.

    While the visitors of Tappara Tampere successfully started into the new Champions Hockey League season last Thursday with a 4-2 away win versus Djurgården Stockholm and will arrive to Switzerland as leaders of Group B, the hosts of EV Zug will celebrate their start into the competitive season.
    Not only the outside temperatures are expected to rise again tomorrow, but also the home crowd will be hot to experience top class Ice Hockey on European level again.
    Following the CHL game, EV Zug will celebrate their season-opening party outside the arena, including presentation of the squad and live music.
    Everything is prepared for another great hockey night in Zug!
     
    Hello and welcome to today's live coverage of the second game in Group B, where Swiss National League A team EV Zug will host Finnisch Liiga team of Tappara Tampere.
     
    Summer is back here in Zug, with bright sunshine and nice temperatures of 25°C. Nonetheless we can expect an attendance of a few thousand fans tonight, willing to enjoy some cooler temperatures and entertaining Ice Hockey at European level.
     
    Both teams are warming up on the ice and people start to enter the arena.
     
    Starting lineups:

    EV Zug: Stephan (Bader) – Ramholt, Grossmann, Alatalo, Sondell, Morant, Erni, Blaser, Stadler – Buergler, Immonen, Bouchard – Lammer, Holden, Suri – Zangger, Peter, Schnyder – Thibaudeau, Diem, Marchon.

    Tappara Tampere: Karhunen (Noronen) – Aalto, Saravo, Plastino, Kankaanpera, Elorinne, Bonsaksen, Makinen, Rouhiainen – Kuusela, Dixon, Savinainen – Haapala Lajunen, Jarvinen – Laine, Ilomaki, Peltola – Heikkila, Honkanen, Kaksonen.

    Referees: Brüggemann (GER), Wehrli – Kovacs, Bürgi (All SUI).
     
    Some additional words on the lineups:
    EV Zug have a number of injured and convalescent players, including defenders Simon Luethi and Dominik Schlumpf as well as forwards Nolan Diem and youngster Lino Martschini, who this week extended his contract with the Swiss club until 2020.
    Whereas on Tappara's side we look forward to experience 17-year young star Patrik Laine live on the ice, who was the matchwinner with 2 goals and 1 assist for his team when the beat Djurgården 4-2.
     
    Some facts on today's two teams:
    Visitors Tappara Tampere were founded in 1932 as TBK, before the were renamed to Tappara in 1955. They are one of the top teams in Finnish Liiga, winning the league 15 times. For the last 3 years in a row they ended the season as runner-up.
    Hosts EV Zug were founded in 1967 and won the Swiss National League A once so far in 1998. They have made an effort in recent years to get back to the very top.
     
    A word on last season's performances of the teams in the Champions Hockey League:
    Tappara Tampere qualified for the 1/8 finals, with a record of 3 wins and 3 losses, 2 of which after Penalty Shootout. In the 1/8 finals Tappara were beaten by Swedish team Frolunda Gothenburg by 1-5 at home Hakametsa Stadium and 2-4 at Scandinavium.
    EV Zug missed out on qualifying for last season’s CHL playoffs, after a record of 3 home wins and 3 away losses, the last of which after overtime. The Swiss team are eager to improve this season. In radio interview today, Head Coach Harold Kreis explained they will play with all their heart to make this a great experience.
     
    Coaching Staff:
    Tappara Tampere
    Head Coach: Jussi Tapola
    Assistant Coach: Marko Ojanen
    Assistant Coach: Kimmo Vähä-Ruohola
    EV Zug
    Head Coach: Harold Kreis
    Assistant Coach: Waltteri Immonen.
     
    It might be of interest for our Finnish followers that EV Zug have quite some Finnish elements, with new assignment Jarkko Immonen, a top class forward with plenty of international experience, Defender Santeri Alatalo, a young promising fighter playing with a Swiss license, and last but not least Waltteri Immonen. He is not related to Jarkko Immonen, has been EVZ’s Assistant Coach for 7 years now and presented the club and the city of Zug as „Hockeytown“ in a very nice CHL-video earlier this week.
     
    The game will start in 10 minutes.
     
    The visiting team of Tappara Tampere is introduced by means of a video here in the arena on the big screen.
     
    Tongight's referees will be Lars Brueggemann (GER) and Tobias Wehrli, with Linesmen Roger Burgi and Balazs Kovacs (all SUI).
     
    The two teams are entering the ice rink and welcomed by the speaker.
     
    We're only a couple of minutes away from the first puck being dropped. The Champions Hockey League anthem is being played and the noise level rises in BOSSARD Arena.
     
    00:01
    Game started.
     
    00:07
    First icing after 7 seconds.
     
    00:23
    First half-decent chance by Zug's Grossmann, missing the target from the crease.
     
    01:09
    Shot from the blueline from Elorinne, handled by Stephan.
     
    01:17
    Goal for Tappara Tampere!
    Markus KANKAAMPERA converted his own rebound after a wristshot past goalie Stephan. Assisted by Veli-Matti Savianen.
     
    02:13
    Icing and faceoff in Zug's offensive zone.
     
    02:43
    Hosts EV Zug are determined to get a quick equalizer.
     
    04:09
    Great scoring chance by Zangger from the creas, denied by Karhunen's leg pads.
     
    06:08
    Goal for Tappara Tampere!
    Zug's Stephan gets caught by a slapshot of JANI LAJUNEN. Assisted by Henrik Haapala.
    Jani LAJUNEN - 0:2
     
    07:00
    Powerbreak.
    Just before that we saw first Tappara and then Zug hitting the post with their attempts.
     
    08:27
    Breakaway by Tampara's Dixon. He enters the offensive zone but misses the target with his slapshot from the left side.
     
    09:26
    First penalty of the game for Livio Stadler, EV Zug. Two minutes for interference.
     
    10:00
    Goal for Tappere Tampere!
    Half way through the first period and after 27 seconds of their 5 on 4 powerplay. After a nice combination it was JAN-MIKAEL JARVINEN who shot the puck past Stephan into the back of the net. Assists by Henrik Haapla and Jani Lajunen.
    Jan-Mikael JARVINEN - 0:3
     
    11:50
    Faceoff in Tappara's offensive zone following an icing.
     
    12:38
    Just before the next powerbreak, Zug's Marchon had the next scoring chance for his team. His backhand shot from the crease was handled by Karhunens catching glove.
     
    13:42
    Lammer breaks through on the right wing and takes a shot, but Karhonen manages to save it with his shoulder. Zug are still chasing their first goal of the day.
     
    14:00
    Faceoff in Zug's offensive zone.
     
    15:08
    Tappara Tampere getting into the offensive zone, Heikkila's shot just wide though.
     
    16:27
    Slapshot by Tappara's Kankaanpera, saved by Stephan's shoulder. The Finnish side keep up the pressure and hit the post another time.
     
    17:08
    Zug hit the post for a second time as well. Buergler with a decent rush through Tappara's defensive zone, just denied by the post.
     
    18:14
    The hosts manage to put some pressure on Tappara's defense. Sondell's Slapshot from the blueline does not cause any problems for Karhunen though.
     
    19:00
    Last minute of the first period.
     
    19:19
    Shot by Zug's Morant deflected off the rink.
     
    19:43
    Last attempt by Zug's Schnyder on the right wing, without any result.
     
    20:00
    1st period finished.
     
    Well, this was not exactly what the the fans of hockeytown expected here in Zug. Although the home team created the first scoring chance by Grossmann after 23 seconds, it was the visiting team of Tappara Tampere which took an early lead. After just 01:17 Markus Kankaampera opened the score, followed by goals of Jani Lajunen after 6 and 10 minutes respectively.
    The Finnish side got the upper hand half way through the period and deserve their 3-goal lead, while the home team just does not seem to find a way into this game so far. They will hope to get a better start into the 2nd period.
     
    2nd period will start at 17:45.
     
    Shots on goal in first period:
    EV Zug 6 – 10 Tappara Tampere.
     
    Players are back on the ice. Will EVZ find an answer in this period ?
     
    20:01
    Start of 2nd period.
     
    20:33
    It is the visiting team that puts pressure on the hosts again.
     
    21:09
    Good Slapshot by Holden from the blueline, saved by Karhunen's leg pad. Zug keep up the pressure and Alatalo lets another one go from the blueline, asking some questions to Karhunen. But he manages to save the shot and the rebound attempts by Holden.
    Will this bring back hope for the hosts?
     
    23:01
    EV Zug stay in Tappara's definsive zone, who have to take an icing in order to lift the pressure.
     
    23:06
    Another decent shot from the blueline by Ramholt, Karhunen still says no.
     
    24:17
    Josh Holden, a leader in Zug's team gets his third scoring chance. His wrist shot from good distance on the right wing can be handled by Karhunen.
     
    25:00
    Just five minutes into this period, the home team seem to have created more promising scoring chances than in 20 minutes of the first period.
     
    25:43
    Icing Tappara. Faceoff in their defensive zone.
     
    26:33
    Forrer with the next chance to open the score for the hosts. He gets the puck in front of the net, but Karhunen is quick with his leg pads.
    Powerbreak.
     
    27:18
    EV Zug should have scored here by now! Buergler enters the offensive zone and tries it with an amazing drop pass to the crease. Sadly for the home crowd and team, there was no Zug player quick enough to react.
     
    29:00
    Wrist shot from the left wing by Erni. Not more than a got opportunity for an attractive glove save for Finnish goalie Karhunen.
     
    30:00
    We are half way through the game here. The first ten minutes of this 2nd period have been dominated by Zug's team. They just did not manage as yet to find their way past Karhunen.
     
    31:00
    Buergler creates another breakaway and appears in front of Karhunen. His shot ends up being to harmless, Karhunen with another save block. The Swiss forward should have done better.
     
    32:14
    Next powerbreak.
     
    32:23
    Karhunen is forced to his next good leg pad save by Zangger's shot from the left side.
     
    32:31
    Offside Tappara. Faceoff in the neutral zone.
     
    32:59
    Goal for Tappara Tampere!
    What a demonstration by the Finnish side as to how easy goal scoring could be done. Teemu Aalto carries the puck into their offensive zone, plays the pass cross the ice to MANU HONKANEN who converts his own rebound past Stephan. Well played. Assisted by: Teemu Aalto.
     
    34:45
    delayed penalty versus Tappara gets Zug a next chance. Nice glove save by Karhunen on Buergler's slapshot.
     
    34:45
    First penalty of the game against Tappara. Patrik Laine, two minutes for tripping.
     
    35:40
    Tappara with a break away on their 4 on 5 boxplay. Kuusela's shot is saved by Stephan though.
     
    36:19
    Goal for Tappara Tampere!
    And Zug got punished on Tappara's second break away attempt. ATTE MAKINEN scores during their boxplay, assisted by Kristian Kuusela.
     
    38:46
    Next penalty against Zug. Josh Holden, two minutes for tripping.
     
    39:00
    Last minute of the 2nd period.
     
    39:44
    Tappara Tampere end this period as they started it, by putting pressure on the home team's defense.
     
    40:00
    2nd period finished.
     
    This period saw a considerably improved performance of home team EV Zug. They controlled during the majority of these 20 minutes and managed to put increasing pressure on Tappara's defensive zone. However, they just could not find a way past Tampere's confident goalie Tomi Karhunen. The Finnish netminder handled everything approaching his box at apparent ease.
    The visitors demonstrated Zug how scoring chances should be converted. With perfect counterattacks they added another two goals to their scoresheet by Manu Hankonen after 33 minutes and even a shorthander by Atte MAKINEN.
    2 goals out of 5 shots on goal in the second period – that is efficiency!
    The home crowd of approx. 2000 fans will surely hope to celebrate at least one goal by their team in the third period.
     
    Shots on goal in the second period:
    EV Zug 15 – 5 Tappara Tampere.
     
    The game will continue in three minutes.
     
    Players of both teams are back on the ice.
    Will EV Zug give their fans more reason to cheer in the last 20 minutes of this game, prior to the season-opening party?
     
    40:01
    Start of 3rd period.
     
    41:00
    Again, the visitors get off to to a better start into the period, due to fact also that EV Zug still play in 4 on 5 boxplay.
     
    41:06
    Goal for Tappara Tampere!
    Just as EV Zug were back at full strength, Kuusela passed to puck to STEPHEN DIXON in front of the net, who surprisingly found a way past Zug's Goalie Stephan to make it a 6-0 lead for the Finnish side. Assisted by: Kristian Kuusela.
    Stephen DIXON - 0:6
     
    43:37
    Marc Marchon, team EV Zug, 2:00 for slashing.
     
    43:45
    Goal for Tappara Tampere!
    It did not take Tappara Tampere more than 7 seconds to convert their 5 on 4 penalty into their 7th goal of the night. HENRIK HAAPALA scores. Unassisted.
     
    44:47
    Faceoff in the neutral zone, following Zug's offside.
     
    45:43
    Stephan gets a nice save on a shot from the left crease by Tappara's Topscorer Laine.
     
    46:10
    Dominic Lammer of EV Zug with a shot from similar distance on the other side. But still, Karhunen is unbeaten in this game.
     
    46:42
    Powerbreak
     
    46:42
    Although this game must be a massive disappointment for the home crowd, the fans would not stop supporting their team with chants. Great stuff!
     
    47:38
    With just a bit more than 10 minutes left on the clock, this game is obviously not too intense anymore, considering the score of 7-0 for the visitors of Tampere.
     
    48:23
    Sondell got a decent slapshot from the blueline, followed by an attacking phase by EVZ during a delayed penalty indicated.
     
    48:23
    Jani Lajunen, team Tappara Tampere, 2:00 for elbowing.
     
    49:40
    Another slapshot by Sondell, saved by Karhunen.
     
    50:25
    Tappara Tampere playing at full strength.
     
    50:25
    EV Zug did quite some effort in order to score their first goal of the night during their 5 on 4 powerplay. Overall though, this was just not enough.
     
    51:42
    Karhunen saves another slapshot from the blueline by Blaser with his catching glove.
     
    52:43
    Zug with a 3 on 2 breakaway after Tappara were looking for their 8th goal. However, the hosts just do not seem to hit the target tonight.
     
    53:49
    Reto Suri with a next break away. He sees his backhand shot get deflected over the crossbar from Karhunen's shoulder.
     
    54:29
    Last powerbreak.
    Shortly before that, Stephan treated himself to another good glove save in front of the net.
     
    54:56
    Offside Tappara Tampere. Faceoff in the neutral zone.
     
    55:05
    Faceoff in Zug's offensive zone. They have less than 5 minutes left to get a least one goal out of this game.
     
    56:00
    But the action shifted back to the other side of the rink. Tappara in Zug's zone now.
     
    56:25
    Offside by Tappara.
     
    57:00
    Dominic Lammer misses out on one of Zug's best scoring chances of the night. His onetimer after a decent pass by Santeri Alatalo ends up being another opportunity for a leg pad save by Karhunen.
     
    58:00
    Two minutes left in the third period.
     
    58:32
    Another faceoff in front of Karhunen's net.
     
    59:20
    The fans of EV Zug, who are still in the arena rise the athmospere for a last time in this game.
     
    Game over.
     
    And now the home crowd start to express their frustration with tonight's performance of their team. A few whistles and boos can be heard in Zug's BOSSARD Arena.
     
    Shots on goal in the third period:
    EV Zug 8 – 8 Tappara.
    Total Shots on goal: 29-23 (6-10, 15-5, 8-8)
     
    PIM: 6-4
    EV Zug: 2x2min
    Tappara: 2x2min
     
    It was supposed to be a hockey party here tonight in Zug.
    Well, you could safely say this was a hockey party – just very one-sided and definitely not in favour of EV Zug.
    Tappara Tampere, the undisputed leaders of this group B, tought the hosts a few lessons tonight. The Finnish team opened the scored 01:17 into the game, extended their lead to 3-0 after 10 minutes sharp and kept the game under control ever after.
    While the home team seemed to lack ideas and inspiration as to how to score against a strong goaltender Tomi Karhunen, the visitors went on to increase their lead at sheer ease and highly deserve to win this game, even at this high score.
    Swiss team EV Zug will have to find answers if they are to be competitive in this very hard Group B.
    Let's hope this result will not spoil tonight's season-opening party of EVZ outside the arena, and that Finnish and Swiss fans can enjoy one or two drinks together. Kippis! (19:22:26)
    Recommend
    Commentary by

    Patrick Brand

    Goals & lineups Match log
    Goals and assists: 2. Kankaampera (Savianen), 7. Lajunen (Haapala), 10. Jarvinen (Haapala, Lajunen), 33. Honkanen (Aalto), 37. Makinen (Kuusela), 42. Dixon (Kuusela), 44. Haapala

    EV Zug: Stephan (Bader) – Ramholt, Grossmann, Alatalo, Sondell, Morant, Erni, Blaser, Stadler – Buergler, Immonen, Bouchard – Lammer, Holden, Suri – Zangger, Peter, Schnyder – Thibaudeau, Diem, Marchon.
    Tappara Tampere: Karhunen (Noronen) – Aalto, Saravo, Plastino, Kankaanpera, Elorinne, Bonsaksen, Makinen, Rouhiainen – Kuusela, Dixon, Savinainen – Haapala Lajunen, Jarvinen – Laine, Ilomaki, Peltola – Heikkila, Honkanen, Kaksonen.
    Referees: Brüggemann (GER), Wehrli – Kovacs, Bürgi (All SUI)