Photo from EHC Biel’s Twitterfeed.
Two days after a seven-hour flight from Chicago to Zurich, settling into his new home and taking his first practice with his new team, Patrick Kane made his mark in his debut with EHC Biel.
Even though it was Henrik Zetterberg’s two goals and two assists that helped bring EV Zug up from a 3-1 deficit to defeat Biel 7-4, it was Kane’s very first Swiss goal that gave Biel its first lead. The goal came at the 18-minute mark in the first period.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj2fWLHB53k
IIHF communication director Szymon Szemberg described Kane’s goal on Twitter:
@Sz1909_Szemberg Patrick Kane scores in his 1st game for Biel. Cuts in from right, makes D man Wozniewski, goalie Rytz look a little foolish. 2-1 Biel.
Szemberg then gave a further assessment of Kane’s play:
@Sz1909_Szemberg Kane showed great speed, skill on this goal. Rink size, emphasis on skating should make Swiss league great fit for No. 88.
Kane, who played on Biel’s second line, also tallied an assist in the second period. His teammate, Tyler Seguin, earned an assist in the game as well.
Kane, accompanied by his mother, had arrived in Biel on Sunday after a late flight from Chicago. He was given the keys to his new apartment (which happens to be a floor below Seguin’s) and then went to Biel’s home rink to meet with the Swiss press and debut his #88 jersey. He practiced with the team on Monday after the paperwork allowing him to play with the team was processed.
Biel’s next game is Friday in their home opener against Geneve-Servette HC, who currently sits atop the NLA standings.
