A pair of away games were on tap for Zurich to begin the 2024/25 season with the Swiss collecting convincing wins in each, starting with a 4-1 victory over Storhamar Hamar on Game Day 1 followed up by another 4-1 game over Finnish challengers Ilves Tampere.

In their game against the Norwegian side, the Swiss peppered the netminder with 62 shots on net, but it wasn't until the third period that things really started to get going for Zurich as they secured their third and fourth tallies of the night, with LGT MVP Award Nominee Sven Andrighetto securing his first goal of the season. Ilves attempted to do their best to keep it close in their contest, but another strong third period for the Swiss meant another tick in the win column.

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Back in Swiss Life Arena, Zurich's skills were tested by a duo of tough competitors. While the Swiss narrowly edged out German opponents Straubing Tigers with a 3-2 comeback decision, it was their Game Day 4 defeat that would spoil an otherwise perfect season as they fell to Red Bull Salzburg 4-2.

Following the loss, the Swiss quickly rebounded with a 2-1 shootout win over the Sheffield Steelers, snapping the Brits' three-game win streak courtesy of Rudolfs Balcers' beautiful backhander which gave his side their fourth win of the season.

Dominance on Display

Zurich rounded out the Regular Season with a 5-1 lashing over KAC Klagenfurt in a match that highlighted the depth of the Swiss' roster as both Derek Grant and Jesper Frödén secured three points on the night. 34-year-old Grant registered a powerplay goal to go along with two assists while Frödén posted three helpers.

After amassing 14 out of a possible 18 points in the Regular Season, Zurich cemented themselves in second place in the Regular Season Standings - trailing Färjestad Karlstad by only three points - as they prepared for a re-match with Straubing in the Round of 16.

Nothing but Net

This second and third meeting between the two teams was a far cry from their Regular Season bout as the Swiss had no trouble finding the net this time around. Zurich's top talent propelled the club past the Germans as the Swiss put on back-to-back commanding performances that culminated in an 11-3 aggregate victory.

This offensive onslaught was led, of course, by the Swiss side's Andrighetto and Denis Malgin who combined for six points in the First Game with the pair figuring in three out of the four goals scored in their 4-2 win. Helping their cause in the Return Game was Frödén (2A) and Juho Lammikko (2G) as the Swiss saw five different players score in their 7-1 victory in the Return Game.

Too Close For Comfort

Turning the page to their Quarter-Final series, the Swiss would again find themselves up against a German challenger in Eisbären Berlin. But while their first Playoff series went off without a hitch, this series nearly saw them squander all that effort as they stared down not one but two multi-goal deficits as the Germans broke out to an early three-goal lead to begin both games.

In the first game, Berlin made it 3-0 four minutes into the middle frame when Lean Bergmann exposed the stick side of Šimon Hrubec. This forced the Swiss into unfamiliar territory and lit a fire under their stars who went on to secure three unanswered goals with the equaliser coming with less than ten minutes to go in the third. Frödén would eventually give his side the aggregate advantage before the final horn sounded.

Only down by one on aggregate to start the Return Game, Berlin again opened the contest with three tallies in succession, and again Zurich rallied from this deficit, securing three in the third to cap off their second comeback win. With less than seven minutes left in regulation, Grant sealed the victory for his side on a tic-tac-toe play that left a yawning cage and no doubt about who would be moving on.

Champions Collide

Then in the Semi-Finals, it was the NL champions facing off against the reigning CHL Champions as Zurich battled Genève-Servette.

Entering the contest, both clubs were among the league's upper echelons in several categories, including netminding. Zurich and Genève were enjoying stellar performances from their netminders with newcomer and LGT MVP Nominee Antti Raanta making a clear case as the starting backstop for the reigning CHL Champs.

But a few weak goals and some untimely mistakes eventually chased the Finnish netminder from the crease as Zurich would tally six goals in a 6-1 tilt that saw them take a five-goal aggregate lead back home.

On home ice, Zurich continued to pile on the offence, scoring the first two markers, including a 5-on-3 powerplay opportunity. Genève would make it a game as they netted a few of their own, but their uncharacteristically poor performance in the First Game combined with Zurich's top-notch defence made sure that it was the Lions' chance at hoisting the European Trophy in the 2024/25 campaign.

So far, the Swiss have passed several tests and silenced any who questioned their capabilities. But a different breed of challenger awaits in Swedish mega club Färjestad Karlstad. Will ZSC Lions Zurich keep the European Trophy in Switzerland?