Rapperswil upset championship favourites

Lugano's goalkeeper Cristobal Huet faces off against Rapperswil's Loic Burkhalter Keystone

Rapperswil proved their doubters wrong with a storming 3-0 victory over much-fancied Lugano in the first game of the new ice hockey season.

Three power play goals by Schümperli, McTavish and Tiger secured the win, leaving Lugano looking lethargic in Saturday’s game.

The titleholders, Zurich Lions, could only manage a one-all draw against Bern. After a scoreless first period, the Bears came out fighting against the Lions after the break and drew blood with the first goal of the match by Olausson after just one minute.

Zurich had to wait until the final part of the match, when their star recruit, Streit, just back from the US, managed to beat Berne goalkeeper Tosio.

In other matches, Ambri beat La Chaux-de-Fonds by the narrowest of margins, 1-0. The goal was scored by 18-year-old Métrailler, playing in his very first A league match.

Langnau managed to overcome Chur by the same score despite playing in hostile territory.

In an entertaining game, Zug won 5-3 at Fribourg, scoring its last three goals in three minutes.

Last but not least, Davos defeated Kloten 3-2 at the Schlüfweg despite the fact the Flyers dominated early play.

swissinfo with agencies