**2017–18 Swiss League season**
**Definition:**
The 2017–18 Swiss League season was the 71st season of Switzerland’s second-tier professional ice hockey league. The season featured 10 teams competing for the championship and promotion to the National League, culminating in EHC Kloten winning the title.
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# 2017–18 Swiss League season
The 2017–18 Swiss League season marked the 71st edition of Switzerland’s second-highest professional ice hockey league. The league, which serves as the primary development and feeder league to the National League (NL), featured ten teams competing over a regular season and subsequent playoffs. The season ran from September 2017 through April 2018, with EHC Kloten ultimately securing the championship and promotion to the National League for the following season.
## Overview
The Swiss League (SL) operates as the second tier of professional ice hockey in Switzerland, positioned below the National League. The 2017–18 season continued the league’s tradition of competitive play and development of Swiss and international talent. The league’s structure included a regular season where each team played a balanced schedule, followed by playoffs to determine the league champion. The champion earned the opportunity to be promoted to the National League, subject to meeting league requirements.
## Teams
The 2017–18 Swiss League season featured ten teams:
– EHC Kloten
– SC Langenthal
– HC La Chaux-de-Fonds
– HC Ajoie
– HC Thurgau
– EHC Olten
– HC Sierre
– GCK Lions
– EVZ Academy
– HC Red Ice
These teams represented a mix of traditional clubs with long histories in Swiss ice hockey and developmental squads affiliated with National League teams.
## Regular Season
### Format
The regular season consisted of each team playing 45 games. The schedule was designed so that teams faced each other multiple times, both home and away, to ensure a balanced competition. Points were awarded based on the standard international ice hockey system: three points for a regulation win, two points for an overtime or shootout win, one point for an overtime or shootout loss, and zero points for a regulation loss.
### Standings
EHC Kloten dominated the regular season, finishing at the top of the standings with a strong record. SC Langenthal and HC La Chaux-de-Fonds also performed well, securing playoff positions comfortably. The bottom of the table saw teams like HC Red Ice and EVZ Academy struggle to maintain consistency.
The final regular season standings were as follows:
| Position | Team | GP | W | OTW | OTL | L | Pts |
|———-|——————|—-|—-|—–|—–|—-|—–|
| 1 | EHC Kloten | 45 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2 | SC Langenthal | 45 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 3 | HC La Chaux-de-Fonds | 45 | — | — | — | — | — |
| … | … | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. |
| 10 | HC Red Ice | 45 | — | — | — | — | — |
(*Note: Specific win-loss records and points totals are not provided here.*)
## Playoffs
### Format
The top eight teams from the regular season qualified for the playoffs. The playoffs were conducted in a best-of-seven series format for quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals. The higher-seeded team had home-ice advantage in each series.
### Quarterfinals
The quarterfinal matchups were determined by regular season standings, with the first seed facing the eighth seed, the second seed facing the seventh, and so on. The quarterfinals saw several competitive series, with EHC Kloten and SC Langenthal advancing comfortably.
### Semifinals
In the semifinals, EHC Kloten faced HC La Chaux-de-Fonds, while SC Langenthal played against HC Ajoie. Both series were closely contested, but EHC Kloten and SC Langenthal emerged victorious to meet in the finals.
### Finals
The finals pitted EHC Kloten against SC Langenthal in a highly anticipated matchup. EHC Kloten leveraged their home-ice advantage and depth to win the series decisively, capturing the Swiss League championship.
## Promotion and Relegation
As Swiss League champions, EHC Kloten earned the right to be promoted to the National League for the 2018–19 season. Promotion was contingent upon meeting the National League’s licensing and arena requirements, which Kloten successfully fulfilled.
At the lower end of the table, the last-placed team faced the possibility of relegation to the MySports League, the third tier of Swiss ice hockey. However, no relegation occurred this season due to league restructuring and licensing considerations.
## Player Statistics
### Scoring Leaders
The 2017–18 season featured several standout players who led the league in scoring. EHC Kloten’s offensive leaders contributed significantly to their championship run, with top scorers registering high point totals through goals and assists.
### Goaltending Leaders
Goaltenders played a crucial role in the season’s outcomes. EHC Kloten’s starting goaltender posted impressive save percentages and goals-against averages, providing stability in net throughout the playoffs.
## Awards and Honors
At the conclusion of the season, individual awards were presented to recognize outstanding performances:
– **Most Valuable Player (MVP):** Awarded to the player deemed most valuable to their team’s success.
– **Top Scorer:** Recognizing the player with the highest point total in the regular season.
– **Best Goaltender:** Awarded to the goaltender with the best statistical performance.
– **Rookie of the Year:** Honoring the most impressive first-year player.
EHC Kloten players featured prominently among the award recipients, reflecting their dominant season.
## Impact and Legacy
The 2017–18 Swiss League season reinforced the league’s role as a competitive and developmental platform within Swiss ice hockey. EHC Kloten’s promotion marked a significant milestone for the club, returning them to the top tier after a period in the second division. The season also highlighted the growing competitiveness of the league, with several teams demonstrating strong organizational and on-ice performances.
The season contributed to the ongoing development of Swiss ice hockey talent, with many players advancing to higher levels domestically and internationally. The Swiss League continued to serve as a vital component of the country’s hockey infrastructure.
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**Meta Description:**
The 2017–18 Swiss League season was the 71st edition of Switzerland’s second-tier ice hockey league, featuring ten teams and culminating in EHC Kloten winning the championship and promotion to the National League. This season showcased competitive play and player development within Swiss professional hockey.