1997–98 Nationalliga A season
The season 1997/98 was the 60th regular season of the National League A. In the play-off final of the EV train against HC Davos was Swiss champion, during the ZSC Lions in the playout directly reached the league. The losers of the playout, the SC Herisau and HC La Chaux -de-Fonds, occupied in the League qualification with the Master of the NLB, the SCL Tigers, only the rear seats, so the Tigers were promoted to the NLA and Herisau and La Chaux -de-Fonds descended.
- 3.1 quarterfinals
- 3.2 Semi-finals
- 3.3 final
Mode
Were played by the ten teams of two double rounds of 20 games. The best eight teams determined the Swiss champion in playoff style. Quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals were played each after the mode Best of Seven.
Since the NLA should be reduced to ten teams, determined the final three teams in the play- outs ( eight games per team), taking with half of the points in the preliminary round, the two teams against the champions of the National League B to avoid relegation had to play.
Preliminary round
Four teams determined the League qualification: The EV train with the best defense that allowed only three home defeats (two against HC Davos ), finally came, ahead of Fribourg- Gottéron. The HC Davos in third place went legitimate hopes for a new title. The biggest surprise was the fourth place, the HC Ambri -Piotta. The club, which had fought in the previous season still to avoid relegation, could compete with the top clubs thanks to a strong attack by Oleg Petrov and Ihor Tschibirew. For the reigning SC Bern, however, it was a disappointing season, which was marked by financial problems.