Following last week’s 1-1 draw in Hradec Králové, EV Zug host Mountfield HK in the return game with the teams on even terms. The winner of the game outright will advance to the Semi-Finals for the first time ever. 

If last week is any indication, we can expect another tight-checking, low-scoring affair. There wasn’t much to choose between the teams in the first game, with Mountfield out-shooting Zug 31-27. Dario Simion opened the scoring for Zug on a first-period breakaway and Tomáš Vincour tied it for Mountfield on a third-period power play.

Both goalies Marek Mazanec and Luca Hollenstein were solid when they needed to be, and they will likely be the starters again. Former NHL goalie Mazanec has been Mountfield’s “Mr. Everything” this season, playing almost every minute of every game. In the CHL Playoffs so far, he has allowed two goals in three full games. The youngster Hollenstein – who is expected to be Switzerland’s starting goalie at the IIHF World Junior Championship in a few weeks – has inherited Zug’s crease after starter Leonardo Genoni went down with a groin injury. Just 19 years of age, Hollenstein doesn’t seem to be in over his head, with a minuscule 0.98 goals-against average in five CHL games this season.

Since last Tuesday’s game, both teams have won once and lost once. Zug beat the Langnau Tigers 5-2 on Saturday and then lost 3-2 in overtime at Ambri-Piotta on Sunday. For Mountfield, Mazanec picked up a 4-0 shutout win on Friday in Zlín, but then the team itself was shutout 2-0 at home to Vítkovice on Sunday.

Petr Koukal scored the first goal of the game at 22:16.