Lille MHC defeated debutants Grasshopper Club Zurich in a shoot-out to reach the KO8 for the first time, opening the weekend of action in Surbiton with a bang.
Malo Martinache – who was the youngest player to ever play in the EHL when he lined out two years ago in Hamburg – got the winner, as he held his nerve in super style for a 4-3 success after normal time ended 1-1.
Earlier, Grasshopper had taken the lead in the first half with Oliver Habertühr touching in a rapid shot on the turn from Patrick Krüsi in the 27th minute.
But hopes of a first win for a Swiss club in the EHL were put on hold when Viktor Lockwood produced a glorious backhand shot from the left of the circle for 1-1 early in Q4.
The ensuing shoot-out saw three perfect rounds ending in 3-3 before the saves came thick and fast from José-Inaki Lafuente and Fabian Starsich. Crucially, Martinache got his one for a memorable win.
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