Two late goals keep Lions ahead of pack

Zurich's Martin Kout shows Davos forward Thierry Paterlini the way to the goal Keystone

The Zurich Lions stretched their lead at the top of the Swiss ice hockey league to six points on Thursday, but they needed two late goals to see off a strong challenge from Davos.

The side from canton Graubünden took the lead against Zurich in the Hallenstadion, defender Jan von Arx grabbing his sixth goal of the season after ten minutes.

But with four minutes to go in the second period Michel Zeiter put the home side back on level terms, the Swiss international scoring his 100th goal in the top division.

Davos were unlucky not to regain the lead in a third period which saw Mario Schocher, René Müller and Pat Falloon all miss at least two good chances each to score.

But Davos have a history of misfortune against the Zurich Lions, having won just one of their previous sixteen encounters. Thursday was to prove no different.

With the game seemingly headed for overtime, Zurich shot ahead in the cruellest possible way, scoring two minutes from the end of the period with a goal from former Davos hero Reto Stirnimann.

Taking their goalkeeper off the ice in the desperate search for an equaliser, Davos were caught out once more, Patric Della Rossa shooting into an empty net with 61 seconds left on the clock.

The win guarantees the Lions’ supporters a good Christmas, with Larry Huras’s side now six points clear of nearest challengers, Lugano. Davos are in third place, a further two points behind.

swissinfo with agencies