Davos close gap on Lions

Langnau's Michael Neininger looks for a way past Ari Sulander Keystone

Saturday's Swiss ice hockey action saw the Zurich Lions' lead reduced to five points as the reigning champions were held to a 3-3 draw in Langnau.

Larry Huras’s side moved into a 2-0 lead after just 13 minutes. It took Langnau until the 51st minute to pull level, new Canadian signing Brent Peterson scoring the equaliser.

With just five minutes remaining, Zurich appeared to have fired in the winner, but seconds later Langnau fought back, Michael Neininger producing the last goal of the evening.

Second placed Davos took the greatest advantage of the Lion’s slight slip-up, beating third placed Ambri 6-2 away to move within five points of the leaders.

Without coach Pierre Pagé, who was dealing with a family bereavement, Ambri fell apart spectacularly, conceding five goals without reply in the opening 25 minutes.

Lugano waited a little longer to unleash their fireworks on an unsuspecting Zug. With the scores level at 2-2 going into the final period, last year’s playoff finalists bagged four goals in the last 20 minutes to run out 6-4 winners.

After a dismal start to the season, Lugano have now won three times in a row.

The Ticinese side’s run is not half as good though as that being enjoyed by Rapperswil, who recorded their sixth win on the trot on Saturday against second bottom club Chur.

La Chaux-de-Fonds remain rooted to the bottom of the league with just two wins from 21 matches. Their latest defeat saw them beaten 4-2 at home by Kloten.

In the night’s remaining match, Berne and Fribourg shared a 3-3 draw, a result which did little to ease either side’s relegation fears.

swissinfo with agencies