SC Bern has secured a crucial 2-1 victory over the SCL Tigers in a hard-fought derby, marking the first win under interim coach Patrick Schöb. The result comes after a turbulent week for the club, which saw the dismissal of head coach Jussi Tapola following a series of disappointing results.
The win provides some much-needed breathing room for the team, but questions remain about the club's direction and performance culture as it navigates this transitional period.
Key Takeaways
- SC Bern defeated the SCL Tigers 2-1 in a local derby on Saturday.
- The victory is the first for interim coach Patrick Schöb, who took over after Jussi Tapola was dismissed earlier in the week.
- The coaching change followed SC Bern's sixth loss in nine games.
- Players are adapting to a new, more offensive style of play under Schöb, which has produced mixed results.
- The club is conducting a deliberate search for a permanent head coach and is not rushing the decision.
A Sudden Change in Leadership
The week began with significant changes for SC Bern. Following a 1-5 defeat against Fribourg-Gottéron, the club decided to part ways with head coach Jussi Tapola. The decision was communicated to the players on what was supposed to be their day off.
Players were reportedly summoned via an 8 a.m. SMS for a team meeting at 10:15 a.m. The sudden call required some players to wake each other up, and one team member reportedly missed the announcement entirely after setting his phone to airplane mode overnight.
Background on the Dismissal
Jussi Tapola's dismissal came after the team's sixth loss in nine games. Despite his departure, some players acknowledged his contributions. "Jussi has stabilized the club over the last two and a half years and helped players develop individually. It's a shame," said veteran forward Simon Moser.
Captain Ramon Untersander also commented on the difficulty of the situation. "The news affected us all. It's never nice when someone you've worked with for a long time suddenly has to pack their things," he stated.
Victory in the Derby
Under the guidance of interim coach Patrick Schöb, SC Bern hosted the SCL Tigers for the season's first major derby. The team secured a 2-1 victory, providing a morale boost after a challenging period.
The scoring opened in the ninth minute when 20-year-old Alain Graf found the net for Bern. The SCL Tigers responded strongly in the second period, with Phil Baltisberger scoring the equalizer after a turnover by Bern's Joël Vermin. Waltteri Merelä, a consistent performer for Bern, later scored the game-winning goal.
Game Highlights
- 1-0 SC Bern: Alain Graf (9th minute)
- 1-1 SCL Tigers: Phil Baltisberger (2nd period)
- 2-1 SC Bern: Waltteri Merelä (2nd period)
- A potential equalizing goal for the Tigers by Jérôme Bachofner was disallowed due to an offside call.
The game was tightly contested, with Bern's goaltender Adam Reideborn making several key saves in the final period to preserve the lead. The victory was a hard-fought result that demonstrated the team's resilience.
Implementing a New Strategy
Interim coach Patrick Schöb has signaled a shift towards a more offensive style of play. This was evident in the game-winning goal, where defenseman Aleksandr Iakovenko joined the attack—a tactical move less common under the previous coach.
"We want to play a hockey that the players enjoy and is also entertaining for them. So that's what our future looks like," Schöb explained about his coaching philosophy.
However, this new approach has presented challenges. In a prior game against the ZSC Lions, Bern's aggressive strategy resulted in a 3-7 loss. "That showed us what happens against a composed, well-drilled top team," Simon Moser reflected. "The Zurich team capitalized on every mistake because we were too impetuous."
Moser added that the team learned from that experience. "Against Langnau, we improved on that," he said, indicating a better balance between offense and defense in the derby match.
Player Accountability and Performance
The recent struggles have also put the team's performance culture under scrutiny. Some players have faced direct consequences for their on-ice performance. Captain Ramon Untersander, who recently scored his first point of the season, acknowledged his own shortcomings.
After being benched during a game in Lausanne under Tapola, Untersander was self-critical. "If you don't play well, that decision is not only understandable but also correct," he said. "I was useless in Lausanne."
Simon Moser pushed back against claims of a lax performance culture, pointing to these instances as proof of accountability. "These examples show that Jussi clearly enforced a performance culture. I had a bad start to the season and understood the decision [to be scratched]," he stated.
Looking Ahead for Both Clubs
For SC Bern, the focus now shifts to their upcoming Champions League game against Belfast. The search for a new permanent head coach is underway, but the club has indicated it will not rush the process. Former Fribourg-Gottéron coach Christian Dubé has reportedly expressed interest in the position.
Meanwhile, the SCL Tigers continue to deal with multiple long-term injuries. There is positive news on the horizon, as defenseman Claude Paschoud has returned to team training after missing the entire preseason with a lower-body injury. According to Tigers coach Thierry Paterlini, Paschoud is getting closer to game fitness and could potentially make his season debut in the upcoming games against Lugano and Rapperswil-Jona.