One of the stranger games from the first leg of the Round of 16 occurred in Bern, where the home team got into some early trouble against JYP Jyvaskyla, but then came back with a strong second period to take the aggregate lead after 60 minutes. Three players who figured prominently in that comeback shared their thoughts on the game and look ahead to the next one in Finland. 

by Simon Stalder and Derek O'Brien

BERN – In the first leg of the Round of 16 on Tuesday, JYP Jyvaskyla visited SC Bern and scored two power-play goals in the first five minutes. However, Bern came back in the second period with three goals in a span of 3:17 by Ryan Lasch, Simon Moser and Marc Arcobello. After the game, Lasch, Arcobello and Thomas Rufenacht – who was originally credited with the second goal – spoke about the team's situation.

Lasch, last year's CHL Cramo Top Scorer and NordicBet MVP, got things started on a great individual effort, taking the puck from end to end and beating JYP goalie Pekka Tuokkola. 

Ryan, your goal was crucial for the rest of the game. How did you do it?

“I figured I had a little more speed going then they did. I was going inside when my opponent went the other way and then I just kept my feet going and ended up in front of the goal and it went in. It was nice to get the momentum going for us.”

Did you feel on the bench that the momentum was going your way now?

“It was part of our second period. Maybe my goal was a confidence booster but I think it was more how we came out for the second period. We came out more alert, we were moving our feet, we had two power plays and you can kinda see how we took over the game from that.”

How do you prepare for the second leg in Finland?

“I think we’ve put ourselves into a good position right now but we know it’s far from over. From my experience, I played over there, it’s going to be a tough game. We’re satisfied with the result here at home but it’s far from over.” 

The momentum continued as 31 seconds later they tied it on a goalmouth scramble, with Rufenacht and Moser both digging for it. The goal was first credited to Rufenacht but later changed to Moser.  

Thomas, that was a very curious game.

“Yes, we had a bad start with unnecessary penalties and got punished by them on the power play, but then we got our foot into the game. In the second period it was a solo by Lasch that got us back into it. We understood very quickly that we could not let them have chances on the power play.”

You’ve got two Finnish coaches who knew the team that was coming. Can you explain why you were so far back on your heels at the start?

“Well, again, the penalties were our problem at the beginning. But then we adapted well to the game and we were able to play our game.”

What’s the difference between playing JYP and a Swiss team?

“The were very aggressive at the beginning of the game. We were probably not prepared for that. Their rink in Finland is a bit smaller than ours so they were probably a bit more aggressive in their forechecking at the start. But in the second and the third periods we were able to play our game and score the important goals.”

So SC Bern wants to go far in this year's CHL?

“Yes, I think so. We want to show everybody that we can play on the top of Europe and that’s what we did tonight. We definitively showed character tonight.”

Bern got the go-ahead goal on the power play, as Maxim Noreau's shot from the point was deflected in front by Arcobello.

Marc, how about the game?

“It was a good game. They came out strong. There were a couple of early penalties and those cost us two goals right away, but I thought we did a good job responding in the second, and swaying the momentum back towards us.”

Can you describe your goal?

“I don't know. That was a great pass by Max Noreau on the power play – he saw me at the back door and I just had to re-direct it in.”

What makes playing in the CHL different from an NLA regular-season game?

“I think we see different styles of play. That team tonight was really physical, fast and strong. I don't think we've seen a team that physical so far this year. I think that was the biggest difference.”  

After a scoreless third period, Bern hold a 3-2 advantage over JYP. The return game will be played in Jyvaskyla next Tuesday starting at 19:00 EET, 18:00 CET.