Davos slip up on home ice

Nobody was taking prisoners in the match between Davos and Bern Keystone

League leaders Davos failed to capitalise on their home advantage in the match against Bern on Friday. The Bears came out on top in a tight game that saw them stay in the the hunt for the title.

The Davos express was derailed after a series of convincing wins. The returns of Michel Riesen and Reto von Arx from North America a few weeks ago had placed their team among the championship favourites.

Bern had apparently not heard about the new Davos, keeping the locals fancied attack at bay in the first period. The Bears even drew first blood with Juhlin scoring halfway through the match.

Davos’ pride was wounded, and Riesen bringing the two teams level just one minute later, before adding another goal 120 seconds afterwards. Bern’s Müller evened the score four minutes later, before Marha scored for the locals just seconds before the break.

Bern came out roaring for the final period. Chatelain took five minutes to level the score, before Armstrong pushed the Bears in front five minutes from the end of play.

Davos refused to die though, and Bohonos scored the goal that meant the game would go into overtime. Unfortunately for the locals, it was Bern’s Weber who scored the golden goal after two minutes for an upset victory in the Graubünden.

The seesawing score was also reflected in the penalties handed out by the referees. Players spent a total of 53 minutes in the sin-bin, and a member of each side will have to serve out a game’s suspension.

Ambri miss opportunity

The two French-speaking teams pushed their hosts to the limit in their matches. Fribourg drew 6-6 against Kloten at the Schlüfweg in a game that could have gone either way.

Lausanne fought back in Zug to secure their two-all draw, after falling two goals behind.

In Zurich, the Lions handed the league’s wooden spooners, Chur, a lesson in efficiency, winning 5-2. The reigning champions scored in every period, putting their mark on the game with three goals in the second.

Langnau’s miserable home record was maintained on Friday. The Tigers, facing Rapperswil, lost 2-6, failing to score before they were four goals down in the second period.

The Ticino derby ended in a victory for Lugano. The Bianconeri easily beat second-placed Ambri 7-1.

The Biancoblu, who could have once again taken the lead in the championship with a victory, paid a harsh price for the penalties inflicted on them by the referees.

The championship standings are unchanged despite the leaders’ losses. Davos still leads the league ladder with 25 points, and Ambri remain second on 24.

Bern, Lugano, Zug, Fribourg and Zurich are in close pursuit, with just one point separating them. Chur remain last with just four points from 18 matches.

swissinfo with agencies