Ambri-Piotta have returned to the top of the Swiss ice hockey league after completing a comfortable 4-1 home win against former leaders Davos.

Spirited defending by the team from canton Ticino and better use of the goalscoring opportunities that came their way ensured a second defeat in two days for Davos.

Despite the closure of the Gotthard tunnel, Saturday's match attracted an impressive 5,160 spectators - a number surpassed this season in Ambri only by the local derby against Lugano.

Bern, the side who beat Davos on Friday, romped to a 6-0 home win on Saturday against struggling Kloten, a result which consolidates Bern's third place position in the league standings and leaves the Zurich club languishing four points below the championship cut-off line.

Zug continued their impressive record on the road, winning their seventh away game of the season in Fribourg. A late shorthand goal from Chris Tancill completed a remarkable recovery by the team from central Switzerland, who had been trailing 3-1 at one stage.

The Zurich Lions climbed to fifth after celebrating their fourth win in a row on Saturday, but only after a surprisingly tough time in Lausanne, where the defending champions managed just a 2-1 win.

Lausanne have again dropped below the cut-off line with Rapperswil jumping above them into eighth place. Like Zug, Rapperswil profited from a late shorthand goal on Saturday with defender Marco Capaul scoring the last goal in a 5-4 win over Lugano.

Second bottom side Langnau ended their seven game winless streak - but only after beating the only team below them, Chur. Saturday's 2-1 win keeps alive the Tigers' hopes of clawing their way back into playoff contention, while Chur have only the relegation playouts to look forward to.

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