EV Zug Academy vs. GCK Lions Prediction, Tips & Odds – Mar. 09, 2022

Playoffs in the Swiss National League B hockey have finally started. In the pre-playoffs or the round of 16 GCK Lions are facing Academy Zug for a spot in the quarter-final. They already won the opening game of the series immediately showing they are a much better team as their regular season record suggests.

Lions had a very good season finishing at 8th place. They claimed a few scalps against the top teams in the league but overall lacked the consistency throughout a very long and tight schedule to finish higher in the table. However, they have to be satisfied with their performances which make them heavy favourites in this playoff series. Academy Zug is arguably a class below them because the point differential in the regular season between these teams was 25 in favour of the Lions.

They are top-tier Zurich´s B team and have some experienced imports who played for the A team along with very efficient juniors. They can beat any team in the league and for the start of the playoff they are fielding a very strong starting lineup not far from their ideal one. In the opening game of the series Lions were dominant securing the win after the first period and in the end winnning convincingly by 5:2.

During the regular season young Academy team won only once out of six times in the head-to-head meetings. Guests are in good and stable form with superior quality and can even be compared to some of the teams from the top at the moment. Academy Zug barely managed to enter the playoffs and their only real chance in this series is home ice but in this second game we think it won´t matter.

Lions are by far the better team and with top-tier experience in their lines we expect them to win once again in regulation. Academy´s team is incomplete and without a couple of important players for some time now. Some of their better scorers are currently with the A team replacing certain absent players which makes them even weaker. They are far from their ideal starting lineup and that should be the difference in this game.

EV Zug Academy vs. GCK Lions Prediction

Away team will look to end this series as soon as possible to focus on more demanding opponents and challenges that are coming. Zug could give stiff resistance at home but not enough as the Lions are at least a goal better than them, if not more.

GCK Lions have a very favourable tradition on Academy´s ice winning in seven out of last eight games in their arena. When we take the regular season into consideration Academy Zug haven´t won a game for almost a month so we think the 3-way option for Lions has good value.

Pick: EV Zug Academy – GCK Lions 1×2 – 2
Odds: 1.78
Bookmaker: 22Bet

Currently, 22bet offers an excellent WELCOME BONUS for all new customers, where you can get up to 122 euros. Register today, and get this fantastic offer.

[single_affiliate_xl title=”22bet” ]