Finnish players were once again in a decisive role as Genève-Servette advanced to the semifinals of the Swiss league late Thursday night. The team defeated Lausanne 5-1 in the crucial seventh quarterfinal and progressed to the top four with a match score of 4-3.

Coached by Ville Peltonen, Genève-Servette, which finished third in the regular season, clawed its way back from the brink in the series, winning the last two decisive games with their backs against the wall.

The hero of the decisive match was Markus Granlund, who won the regular season scoring title and contributed two goals for the home team. Among the other Finnish players, Vili Saarijärvi recorded one assist in the game.

Jesse Puljujärvi, who scored the overtime goal in the sixth game, and Sakari Manninen went without points on Thursday. For Lausanne’s Finnish players, the loss meant the start of summer vacation for Antti Suomela and Sami Nikul.

Genève-Servette will face the second-placed team from the regular season, Fribourg, in the semifinals of the Swiss league. In the other semifinal matchup, regular season champions Davos will take on the Zürich Lions, who have won the last two championships.

LUE MYÖS:

Read more