Fribourg's frustration continues as davos seizes the momentum
In a highly contested second playoff match between Fribourg and Davos, the teams mirrored their first encounter – neither giving an inch. However, Davos managed to reclaim a slight advantage, with Aeschlimann providing crucial support in goal.
Davos' aggressive forechecking pays off early
After suffering a home defeat on Saturday, Davos came out determined to react. They threw everything they had at Fribourg from the opening whistle, suffocating the visitors with relentless forechecking pressure. It wasn't long before Fribourg's first mistake, and Davos pounced.
Chris Egli breathed life into the Davos attack by hassling Benoit Jecker, forcing the Fribourg player into a rushed pass that found only Tino Kessler's stick. Kessler's quick thinking allowed him to skate clear and unleash a pinpoint accurate shot that left no chance for Reto Berra, giving Davos an early 1-0 lead.
Davos' pressure continues to pay off
Despite not always being the better team, Davos' aggression and speed kept Fribourg on the back foot. The visitors struggled to find space to breathe, while Davos continued to launch dangerous attacks.
A rare break in play saw Klas Dahlbeck's shot from the blue line strike the post, only for the rebound to fall kindly to Berra and trickle into the net, doubling Davos' advantage to 2-0.
Fribourg finally started to gain some momentum but it was short-lived. A succession of penalties on both sides saw the game become increasingly physical, with emotions running high. However, Davos' defense, led by the excellent Aeschlimann, remained resolute, and their power play eventually paid off when Lukas Frick scored to make it 3-0.
The second period continued in the same vein, with both teams trading chances and penalties. Fribourg's frustration grew as they struggled to break through Davos' solid defense, while their own power play continued to underwhelm.
As the final whistle blew, Davos had completed a convincing 3-1 victory, reclaiming the momentum in the series. Fribourg will need to regroup and find a way to counter Davos' aggressive style if they're to mount a comeback.