The final game of the season was against Black Boys, and after a hotly contested 3-3 tie Black Boys prevailed in the tiebreaker penalty strokes (4-2). Servette started brightly and Dimitri Gisin finished off a good passage of play with the game’s first goal. However, as the game progressed Servette struggled to find their rhythm and Black Boys carried more of the play. After a defensive miscue, Black Boys were awarded a stroke and made no mistake leveling the game at 1-1. Black Boys continued to carry the play, until an error from a 16 gifted Servette a short corner. Miscommunication between Black Boy defenders resulted in the 16 being taken but the ball being left beside the D. Bertrand Peny was the first to react, quickly entered the circle and won a penalty corner. Philou Bernhard confidently scored on a direct flick low to the goalie’s stick side. His goal gave Servette a 2-1 lead at half time.

After the break, Servette struggled to find cohesion and Black Boys mounted more pressure. Black Boys earned a succession of corners and eventually scored on a scramble after a broken corner. Having tied the game 2-2 Black Boys continued to mount pressure, and scored after a strangely awarded free hit. Black Boys were first to react after some indecision from the umpire, quickly working the ball into the circle and scoring from a scramble.

Now losing for the first time in the game, Servette pushed forward to try and find an equalizer. The game opened up in the last fifteen minutes and both teams had numerous odd-man attacks. In the last minute, Servette were awarded a penalty corner when a Black Boy defender intentionally played the ball off his end line. On the corner, Gareth Mckeown made no mistake, flicking the ball high into the net, and the game finished 3-3.

However, in the tiebreaker penalty strokes Black Boys prevailed 4-2. Sevette started brightly when Laurent Neri and Gareth Mckeown confidently scored their strokes. Gareth Mckeown adding his “robo dance” celebration. However, despite a good stick save from Julien Leblond the next two strokers proved unsuccessful for Servette and Black Boys earned the win.

Now with the regular season finished, Servette prepares for their semifinal match-up with Luzerner. Servette will play Saturday in Luzern and Sunday at Stade de Richemont.

Benjamin Martin