Hockey's National League returns after the Olympic break. Several Swiss clubs are entering the decisive phase of the season, fighting for direct playoff qualification and spots in the play-in tournament. In the German DEL league, Berlin's Eisbären are trying to close the gap to the leader. In other sports like biathlon and curling, the world season is also reaching its climax.

Season Finale in the National League

After the Olympic break, National League teams will play the final six matchdays, battling for direct playoff qualification and spots in the play-in tournament.

Battle for Sixth Place in the DEL

Berlin's Eisbären must make up a three-point deficit to Fischtown Pinguins in the final eight matches to secure direct advancement to the quarter-finals.

Return of Biathletes and Curlers

Biathletes and curlers are also concluding their seasons after the Olympics, with final World Cup events and important national tournaments.

YB Footballers Lead the League

In Swiss football, the Young Boys Bern team leads the table and dreams of a championship, constituting the season's surprise.

Following the Winter Olympic Games, many sports are entering the decisive phase of their domestic seasons. In the Swiss ice hockey National League, six matchdays remain until the end of the regular season. According to analyses, the positions among the top six teams, which guarantee direct advancement to the playoff quarter-finals, seem to be essentially settled. "It would be a small hockey miracle if any team dropped out of the top six now," is noted in Swiss media. The battle for the four spots in the play-in tournament, which will determine the final playoff participants, is decidedly more interesting. SC Bern, as reported by Blick.ch, "secured a place in the play-in with recent matches and wants to defend it in the final games." The Swiss National League was founded in 1937 and has evolved over decades, becoming an important hockey hub in Europe in the 21st century, attracting many foreign players. The playoff system with a play-in phase was introduced in recent years to increase the drama of the season finale. Meanwhile, in Germany's DEL league, the reigning champions, Eisbären Berlin, face eight decisive matches. Their goal is "at least direct qualification for the playoffs" after a season marked by injuries. To achieve this, they must overtake Fischtown Pinguins Bremerhaven, who have a three-point advantage in the sixth position that grants direct advancement.

Besides ice hockey, the season finale also concerns other winter sports. In biathlon, three final World Cup events are scheduled: in Finland's Kontiolahti, Estonia's Otepää, and Norway's Oslo. Swiss biathlete Lea Meier wants to confirm her good form from the Olympics. Curlers are also returning to competition almost without a break – right after winning silver (women) and bronze (men) in Turin, the Swiss national teams will compete in the prestigious national championships in Bern. In football, although it's a different season, the excitement continues. Young Boys Bern, the season's surprise, leads the Swiss league and "is flirting with the dream of a championship," as Blick.ch writes. The rivalry with local opponent FC Thun has gained extra spice as the latter team is fighting for a spot in the championship group.

Mentioned People

  • Lea Meier — Swiss biathlete who wants to confirm her good form from the Olympic Games.
  • Amy Baserga — Swiss biathlete who, along with the men's team, aims to get closer to the top ten in the World Cup.