In the midst of a mini-crisis, it was time for Färjestad to play a CHL final, against a tough ZSC Lions on home turf in Zurich. This after four straight losses, and six losses in the last seven in SHL.
But despite an international title being at stake, Tomas Mitell's men failed to win this time as well. The final score was 1-2 in favor of ZSC Lions, who thereby won the tournament for the first time in the club's history.
And the winner was no unexpected one.
Sniper hero of the match
Sniper Sven Andrighetto was probably one of the Lions players that coach Tomas Mitell had asked his players to keep an extra eye on during the CHL final.
But it didn't help.
The 31-year-old NHL veteran has scored the most goals, most assists (as many as teammate Denis Malgin and Färjestad's Oskar Steen) and most points during the CHL season.
And in the final, it was time again.
The Swiss player scored both of his team's goals and was the big star of the match. The first goal came at the end of the first period, when he found a hole between the legs of Färjestad's goalie Max Lagacé. The 31-year-old's second goal was a more distinct slapshot into the top corner.
Still without a CHL title
Färjestad managed to score a consolation goal in the third period, when Per Åslund angled in 1-2. But that was as close as the Karlstad team got.
The loss means that Färjestad still hasn't won the relatively newly composed tournament. Since the first edition in 2015, a Swedish team has won on six occasions. (Frölunda four times, Luleå and Rögle once each)
2025: ZSC Lions, Switzerland–Färjestad 2–1
2024: Genève-Servette, Switzerland–Skellefteå 3–2
2023: Tappara, Finland–Luleå 3–2
2022: Rögle–Tappara 2–1
2021: Cancelled due to the pandemic.
2020: Frölunda–Mountfield, Czech Republic 3–1
2019: Frölunda–Red Bull München, Germany 3–1
2018: Jyp, Finland–Växjö 2–0
2017: Frölunda–Sparta Prag, Czech Republic 4–3 after overtime
2016: Frölunda–Kärpät, Finland 2–1
2015: Luleå–Frölunda 4–2
