Fribourg increase pressure on Ambri

Rob Bonneau (centre) and Stephane Lebau of Ambri are blocked by Fribourg goalie Thomas Oestlund Keystone

The biggest clash of Tuesday night's hockey wasn't for the top spot in the Swiss league. While Lugano extended their lead over Zurich Lions at the head of the table a dogfight was taking place in the depths.

Both Fribourg and Ambri have looked like joining La Chaux-de-Fonds and Chur in the bottom four playout zone. So it was fitting that they met each other on Tuesday, Fribourg heading south to Ambri’s canton Ticino home.

But despite being hosts, Ambri gained little from home advantage. They limped away from a 4-1 beating by the team from French-speaking Switzerland. Worse than the scoreline was the fact that the defeat leaves them tenth in the table, on 34 points.

Fribourg’s win helped them pull up into seventh place. But with six games remaining in the season they will not be able to rest easy.

Langnau found themselves landed with the other bottom-four place after a 3-2 defeat at the hands of the leaders Lugano. But since both they and Ambri have the same number of points, and are just two behind eighth-placed Rapperswil, there remains plenty to play for.

Lugano have 55 points, two more than second-placed Zurich Lions, but both teams have already qualified for the playoffs. However, Zurich are clearly still hungry for the chase, and inflicted a harsh 7-0 battering on last-placed La Chaux-de Fonds.

Chur, who are placed one above La Chaux, had a better night of it, managing to take three goals to Zug’s five in their match. The points were useful for Zug, who stand fourth in the table, but have both Bern and Kloten breathing down their necks for the two remaining playoff places.

Bern beat Rapperswil 6-2, while Kloten lost their match 6-3 to third-placed Davos.

swissinfo with agencies