After Bystrica's win in the reverse fixture last week, hosts HC Lugano knew a win was going to be vital to keep their playoff hopes alive.

They got the perfect start – just 1:49 on the board when Benoit Jecker found the net to put Lugano a goal ahead. Inside five minutes that lead was doubled, a lovely pass from Julian Walker setting up Raffaele Sannitz for the smart finish. To their credit though, Bystrica didn't throw in the towel. Róbert Varga was given too much time in the slot to score with a wrist-shot. Three goals and only 8:54 played.

The crowd had to wait until the next period for another goal, but the hosts' third was a thing of beauty from Linus Klasen – taking the puck in the neutral zone, past defensemen into the Bystrica end and calmly squeaking the puck through. Lugano had the better of the play as the game continued, eventually out-shooting their opponents 26-16 over the 60 minutes, but had to wait until late on to finally put the game to bed. 

The win keeps Lugano alive in the CHL, putting them in a three-way tie with Banská Bystrica and JYP Jyväskylä.