Langenthal vs Basel

Langenthal had the first good chance of the match, but Basel goaltender Andri Henauer made a sharp early save to keep the scores level. Basel gradually took control of possession and created several opportunities, but the finishing was imprecise and Langenthal goalkeeper Stauffacher stood firm. Three power-play opportunities passed without a goal for Basel, and the period ended 0-0.

The middle frame began with a two-minute penalty on each side. Henauer made a big save to prevent Langenthal from taking the lead, and that proved the turning point. Basel raised their tempo, prompting Langenthal coach Serge Meyer to call a timeout at 31 minutes. Both teams changed goaltenders at the same stoppage, with Haller replacing Henauer for Basel and Kurt replacing Stauffacher for Langenthal.

Basel remained on the front foot and broke through in the 33rd minute. Mikael Slehofer scored the opener, assisted by Pascal Barbei and Bachofner. Just one minute later, Tim Aeschlimann made it 2-0 with a spectacular one-timer after a pass from Brügger. Before the second intermission, Pascal Barbei added a third, assisted by Fuss and Landskroner, sending Basel into the break with a 3-0 lead.

Basel began the final period shorthanded after Révész received a double minor for high-sticking late in the second period, but they killed the penalty without conceding. Basel remained the dominant side and continued to create chances, particularly on the power play.

In the 55th minute, Erik Wittwer — one of the six trialists and a former EHC Basel junior — scored the fourth goal with a well-placed shot, assisted by Aeschlimann and Révész. Filip Hamr completed the scoring in the 59th minute, finishing after a pass from Révész to make it 5-0.

Player of the Match: Mikael Slehofer (Basel) — opened the scoring with the crucial first goal and was a constant threat throughout.

Key Moment: Henauer’s big save early in the second period, followed immediately by Slehofer’s opening goal in the 33rd minute, broke a stubborn Langenthal resistance.

Tactical note: Basel outshot Langenthal 39-12 (14-4 in the middle frame) and converted once in six power-play opportunities. Langenthal had no answer to Basel’s speed and movement after the first period.

Trialists impress: Six test players featured for Basel — Andrin Flütsch (20), Jonathan Moser (20), Noel Wüthrich (23), Mikael Slehofer (21), Joël Blaser (20) and Erik Wittwer (21). Slehofer scored, Wittwer scored, and all six showed well in the system deployed by head coach Eric Himelfarb.

Basel start their Sky Swiss League campaign away to Bellinzona on 17 September. Their next pre-season test is away at league opponent Chur on Tuesday 18 August. Langenthal, competing in the MyHockey League (third tier), continue their own preparations under coach Serge Meyer.

SC Langenthal — EHC Basel 0:5 (0:0, 0:3, 0:2) KEB Langenthal AG — 434 spectators Referees: Michael Weber, Stefan Bangerter; Steve Wermeille, Cliff Halberstadt Penalties: Basel 4×2 min, Langenthal 6×2 min Shots on goal: Basel 39 — Langenthal 12 (10:4, 14:4, 15:4)

Goals: 33. Slehofer (Barbei, Bachofner) 0-1 | 34. Aeschlimann (Brügger, Montandon) 0-2 | 39. Barbei (Fuss, Landskroner) 0-3 | 55. Wittwer (Aeschlimann, Révész) 0-4 | 59. Hamr (Révész, Landskroner) 0-5

Basel lineup: Henauer (31. Haller); Flütsch, Landskroner; Bircher, Moser, Wüthrich, Bachofner, Montandon, Aeschlimann; Barbei, Fuss, Slehofer; Liniger, Kummer, Schaub; Zürcher, Wittwer, Révész; Blaser, Brügger, Hamr. HC: Eric Himelfarb. AC: Patrice Lefebvre. Without: Supinski, Stukel, Nater, Huber, Schläpfer.

Langenthal lineup: Stauffacher (31. Kurt); Käser, Moser; Moesch, Burri; Grossenbacher, Krähenbühl; Sommer, Tassinari; Wehrli, Rexha, Liechti; H. Krayem, K. Krayem, Naber; Balzer, Klay, Bütikofer; Lanz, Schaub, Jobin. HC: Serge Meyer.