- The ZSC Lions lost 2:4 in the Zurich Derby Kloten and remained in second place in the table.
- There was also a surprise win in the Ticino derby: Ambri beat Lugano 5:4.
- Bern still gives up a point against Ajoie despite temporarily leading 3-1.
Kloten – ZSC Lions 4:2
The ZSC Lions missed out on taking over the top position from Friborg-Gottéron without a game with a win in the derby. After the goalless middle third had been poor, things got even more intense in the third period. Luc Schreiber initially caught ZSC substitute goalie Robin Zumbühl between the legs to make it 2-1 (44th). Rudolfs Balcers immediately equalized in the power play (46th), before Tyler Morley was able to use a power play to give Kloten the lead again. It was the game-winning goal, Michael Loosli ended the tremors with the empty net to make it 4-2. For the Zurich Unterländer it was the first derby victory in just over a year after four defeats in a row.
Legend:
Had more to do than he wanted
Robin Zumbühl in the ZSC goal.
Freshfocus/Claudio Thoma
Ambri-Piotta – Lugano 5:4
In the second Ticino derby of the season, the home team prevailed for the second time. In what was, as usual, a very competitive duel, the fans got their money’s worth, especially in the starting section. After Floran Douay’s 1-0 win for the Leventiners, Lugano’s Michael Joly turned things around with a brace. Nando Eggenberger balanced things out again. Tommaso De Luca provided a highlight in the 37th minute. Ambri’s 18-year-old striker made it 3-2 after a nice individual performance. Lugano came back again thanks to Arttu Ruotsalainen. Tim Heed and Laurent Dauphin then scored a goal into the empty net to give Ambri the decisive lead. Joly’s 4:5 came too late. The hosts celebrated their 4th win in a row. Meanwhile, Luganesi suffered their third bankruptcy in a row.
Rapperswil – Geneva 2:4
Servette only achieved its second away win of the current season. In the starting third, the Lakers initially had a deserved 2-1 lead, but after a penalty against Roman Cervenka expired, Noah Rod equalized the score at 2-2 for Geneva. Marc-André Pouliot scored twice in the middle section, but the supposed 4:2 was canceled due to offsides after a successful coach’s challenge. Simon Le Coultre only made up for what he missed with a shot into the empty goal 31 seconds before the end.
Bern – Ajoie 4:3 aet
Bern also fulfilled its duty against the bottom team thanks to the “special teams”: Simon Moser put the “Mutzen” in the lead with a shorthander, Martin Frk and Joel Vermin made it from 1:1 to 3:1 in the power play immediately before the second siren. And Corban Knight also managed to decide the game when Bern had one more man on the ice. The Canadian used a pass from Ramon Untersander to secure the win. Ajoie showed morale in the final period and got back into the game thanks to Dmytro Timaschow and Daniel Audette. The Jurassians have now always gotten at least one point in the last 5 games.
SCL Tigers – Biel 3:2
The people from Langnau are increasingly becoming the feared opponents of the people of Biel. The 3-1 win was the Emmental team’s fourth win against the Zealanders in a row. Meanwhile, Biel was unable to keep up the momentum after the 2-1 overtime win against leader Freiburg. The big figure for the Tigers was Sean Malone. The American center scored all of the hosts’ goals and was successful once in each third. Jere Sallinen was able to equalize for Biel to make it 1-1. In the 54th minute it was the Finn again who brought his team to 2:3. But it wasn’t enough anymore. Langnau is now 6 points ahead of Biel in the table with one game more.