The Lions celebrate a goal in Game 7. © Social Media/ZSC Lions

Zurich is shaking: The Lions win the Swiss title

In the decisive game 7 in the NLA playoffs, the ZSC Lions won the title of Swiss champions against Lausanne HC on Tuesday evening.

30 April 2024

From: do

A Game 7 in the playoff final accompanies a magic that is otherwise only noticeable in a few sports. After months of toil and a grueling journey through best-of-seven series, a season is decided in a single, final game. This was the case on Tuesday evening in Zurich, when the ZSC Lions and Lausanne HC faced off in the Swiss NLA at the decisive moment. For the Zurich team, the tenth title in the club's history was at stake, while the Lake Geneva club wanted to win the inaugural championship. Ultimately, however, it was the club from the Swiss metropolis that celebrated at home. The ZSC Lions won the decisive game 7 2-0.

So far in the series, the home team has always won the matches in their own stadium. The Lions and Lausanne went into the all-important Game 7 in Zurich's Swiss Life Arena, which was naturally filled to capacity with almost 13.000 spectators. However, despite the electric atmosphere, fans had to wait a long time for the first goal siren. Especially because their ZSC Lions couldn't find their way into the goal despite being superior in the first third. It took until the last minute in the second half for Swede Jesper Froden to finally give the home team a 1-0 lead (39.16).

The Swiss Life Arena in Zurich shakes. © Social Media/ZSC Lions

Although Lausanne subsequently took the reins and tried to make up the deficit, it was Zurich that continued to increase on the counterattack. Juho Lammikko scored his third goal in the final with his wrist shot and made it 2-0 in the third period (46.57). Then, like the entire game, there was no getting past ZSC goalie Simon Hrubec and Zurich celebrated the 10th championship title in the club's history.

ZSC Lions – Lausanne HC 2-0

Goals: 1:0 Froden (39.16), 2:0 Lammiko (46.57)
Standing in the best-of-7 series: 4:3