The Rapperswil-Jona Lakers secured Playoffs qualification with a one-point game against Regular Season leaders the Växjö Lakers who remain unbeaten in six games in the 2023/24 season of the Champions Hockey League.
Rapperswil headed into this game knowing they desperately needed at least a point - and they delivered. The Swiss team scored the first goal of the game in the first period and even went 2-0 up at the start of the second but two goals from Växjö by the end of the opening 40 minutes levelled the playing field once again.
"We started pretty well," commented Rapperswil's Colin Gerber, "but in the second period we got a little bit sloppy and they scored on us."
The 25-year-old Swiss player scored the first goal of the game, how did the play go down?
"I got the puck from Moysy and just tried to get it to the net," he said, "I'm really happy it bounced in!"
Rapperswil, as we have come to know, have unrivalled fan support - both home and away - and this game in far-away Sweden was no exception, with notable patches of red, blue and white scattered around the arena.
"They are crazy!" said Gerber, "there were so many of them here they make it like a home game."
"They are a huge support, it really means a lot," he added.
Despite losing in OT, the one point is enough for Rapperswil to move on to the Playoffs for the very first time in the CHL: "We're really excited and looking forward to the games in November."
Watch the full game highlights below.