Swiss league playoffs heats up: sierre and olten clash for championship; visp and la chaux-de-fonds vie for promotion

The Swiss League playoffs are down to the wire, with five teams still vying for the championship and two battling for a coveted spot in the National League. The semifinals promise intense matchups, with a compelling story unfolding in both series.

Sierre and olten set to battle for the swiss league title

HC Sierre (1st) and EHC Olten (7th) will clash in a battle for the Swiss League crown. Sierre, the better team throughout the season, navigated the quarterfinal round convincingly, defeating the GCK Lions 4-1. Olten, however, overcame a tough challenge from HC Thurgau, surviving a close series that went to overtime in game three. Jayce Hawryluk has been a revelation for Olten in the playoffs, racking up a remarkable 11 points.

Historically, Sierre has dominated this season, winning four of the five regular-season encounters. Their strong defensive play, particularly their penalty kill, poses a significant hurdle for Olten, who rely heavily on power-play opportunities. While the regular season point differential was 33 points, expect a tight series.

The series opener is scheduled for September 16th, with Sierre holding a clear advantage. The head coaching matchup between Chris McSorley and Christian Wohlwend adds another layer of intrigue to the series. Sierre is favored to win the series 4-2, a prediction supported by their consistent performance and defensive prowess. Hawryluk's offensive output, however, could keep Olten competitive.

Visp and la chaux-de-fonds fight for national league promotion

The other semifinal features a promotion showdown between EHC Visp (3rd) and HC La Chaux-de-Fonds (4th). Visp edged out the EHC Basel in a tense six-game series. La Chaux-de-Fonds, meanwhile, had to rally from a 2-0 deficit against HC Chur to advance. This series has been marked by close contests, with the last two games decided in overtime or penalty shots.

A fascinating duel will unfold between goalies Juho Markkanen (Visp) and Viktor Östlund (La Chaux-de-Fonds). Markkanen, a 23-year-old prospect from the Los Angeles Kings organization, has performed consistently. Östlund, at 31, is nearing the end of his career and preparing for a move to Biel in the summer. La Chaux-de-Fonds holds a slight edge in the head-to-head this season, winning three of the five games.

The series is anticipated to be a back-and-forth affair, with both teams possessing the talent to win. However, La Chaux-de-Fonds will ultimately advance to the National League. Their experience and resilience will prove decisive. This series, like many in the playoffs, will likely come down to the wire. The Walliser team's determination is a force to be reckoned with.

The series begins October 12th. The playoff races are tightening, but one thing is certain: the Swiss League playoffs are delivering drama.

The stakes are high, the competition fierce, and the journey to the National League – and the championship – is far from over.