Mid-week ice hockey blues for Ambri

Rapperswil's Horak (right) clashes with Lausanne's Kamber during Tuesday night's match Keystone

The Swiss ice hockey team, Ambri-Piotta, suffered a setback on Tuesday in its bid to replace Davos at the top of the league table.

In Tuesday night’s action, Ambri were defeated 1-4 by ninth-placed Kloten and thus ensured they would be taking home with them no mid-week inroads into the top of the table.

Kloten took control of the match from the moment the referee blew the whistle signalling the start of the first period of play.

Plüss needed just four minutes to put the home crowd 1-0 ahead and responded to his own goal with another in the 23rd minute.

Wounded by Kloten’s slick playing machine, Ambri nonetheless managed to strike back with a goal in the 33rd minute courtesy of Demuth.

But by now the home side were heading towards victory and a further two goals from Keller and O’Sullivan effectively sealed the visitors’ fate.

In the night’s only other league action, Lausanne defeated Rapperswil-Jona at home 5-2.

The match started well for the visitors, as Rapperswil’s Reuille set the tone for a fast-paced game with a goal in the ninth minute.

Just three minutes later, Lausanne’s Meier responded with a goal to cheer the 6,500-strong crowd.

Rapperswil’s Richard hit back in the 29th, but from then on the home side drove the match and went on to score four in a row to notch up a convincing victory.

swissinfo with agencies