Genève-Servette get their third win in four games, building up a three-goal lead over Ilves Tampere before eventually holding on to win 4-3. Genève scored twice in the first period, dominating on special teams.

The first goal came on the powerplay just past the nine-minute mark. With Genève moving the puck around the Ilves zone, Josh Jooris threaded the needle with a cross-ice pass that went right into the wheelhouse of Michael Špaček, whose one-timer found the short side before countryman Dominik Pavlát could slide across.

Ilves challenged the play for offside on the zone entry, but upon review, the play was ruled onside and the goal stood.

The 2-0 goal was scored shorthanded at 15:16. The play started when Alessio Bertaggia forced the Ilves pointman to cough up the puck. Tanner Richard got to the loose puck and found Bertaggia in full flight in the neutral zone for a breakaway, and he beat Pavlát low to the stick side.

Ilves were unable to capitalize on any of their five powerplays in the first two periods and Genève went up 3-0 on an even-strength goal in the 34th minute, and it was again Špaček and Jooris connecting. This time, off the rush, Špaček found the trailing Jooris, who skated in and made a move to beat a defender before picking his spot on Pavlát.

Ilves came out with more energy in the third period and finally got on the board at 43:20. Rushing into the zone, Matias Mäntykivi dropped a pass to Daniel Gazda, whose long, high shot beat Robert Mayer over the shoulder on the near side.

Ilves then pushed hard for a second goal on their sixth powerplay but were unable to convert. Genève restored their three-goal lead midway through the third period and it was again Špaček feeding Jooris, this time a backdoor pass that Pavlát had no chance on.

But Ilves didn’t quit and scored twice more. First, Toni Utunen made it a two-goal game again with 2:06 to go. His first attempt from the shot was blocked, but the puck bounced off a skate and came back to him, and he went upstairs over Mayer’s shoulder. Then they made it a one-goal game with 1:20 to go when Mäntykivi threw the puck into the area in front of the goal and Jens Lööke fired it home.

Immediately after Lööke’s goal, there was some pushing and shoving and Špaček was called for slashing. With a powerplay and Pavlát on the bench for an extra attacker, Ilves had a 6-on-4 numerical advantage but were unable to net the equaliser.