Last round in NLA before Christmas and Spengler Cup break

Kloten Flyers - Lausanne HC 0:2

After loosing to EHC Biel the evening before in what had to be called a capital game, the Flyers hosted Lausanne HC and a win would help to keep in touching distance. Just 40 seconds were played when Peter Mueller was awarded a penalty shot but failed to score against a strong Cristobal Huet. 3 minutes were played when Canadian forward Micki Dupont was benched for hooking and Lausanne didn't mess around too long, 20 seconds of powerplay were sufficient to get on the scoreboard a first time when Juha-Pekka Hytönen scored on a pass from Florian Conz. The first period ended with the 1:0 lead and Kloten's game wasn't very convincing throughout the period.

The second period continued to be the same game. Kloten had great difficulties to produce chances but Lausanne on the other hand couldn't capitalize on the space they were given and so a rather boring period was on it's way. But just when the Flyers were in the mood to score their first goal, a rebound off goalie Jonas Müller was the perfect assist for Caryl Neuenschwander who scored the 2nd goal for Lausanne with 36 minutes played. Period 3 wasn't any different from the previous 2, Klotens game had somehow vanished again and Lausanne was patiently waiting for their next scoring chance. The game ended unspectacular, with fans booing the players off the ice. Kloten is now officially struggling to reach the Play-offs and will have to do a lot better with new head coach Sean Simpson in the new year. Simpson said in the post-game interview that his team is missing self confidence and is happy that his squad will get some well needed rest before returning after the Christmas and Spengler Cup break.

HC Ambri-Piotta - HC Davos 2:3 OT

The first period belonged to both teams with a goal each. Mauro Jörg for Davos and Paolo Duca for Ambri scored the first goals of the game. Just 33 seconds into the second period it was Dino Wieser with the game-leading goal and for the middle period, that was it. Giroux was the scorer of the 2nd goal for Ambri in the 54th minute. The tied game had to be decided in an overtime where Dick Axelsson scored after 2 minutes and secured two points for Davos.

EV Zug - HC Fribourg-Gottéron 6:2

Host EV Zug wasn't in Christmas mood yet as they steamrolled Fribourg with 4 goals in the first period. Only Christian Dubé in the 16th minute was able to get the guest on the scoreboard but otherwise it was Zug who orchestrated the game in the first 20 minutes. The second period looked a lot better for Fribourg, a goal for each team, scored by Lino Martschini (Zug) and Timo Helbling for Fribourg put the score up 5:2 after 40 minutes. Zug's Josh Holden was ready for the pass by teammate Lino Martschini and Robin Grossmann to score the 6th goal in the 45th minute to make the final score 6:2 for the home team.

SC Bern - ZSC Lions 3:1

In what was considered to be the top game of the round, the Lions visited the Bernese Bear for a last showdown in the old year. SC Bern had the slightly better start with Martin Plüss scoring the first goal of the game in the 16th minute. Tristan Scherwey for Bern scored the second goal in the 25th minute. It took the Lions almost 40 minutes to get on the scoreboard a first time when Dan Fritsche who had his Swiss National Team debut the past weekend scored with 1 second left in the 2nd period. Byron Ritchie scored the 3rd goal with less than 2 minutes left and gave SC Bern 3 points which puts them on the first spot in the NLA.

HC Lugano - Rapperswil-Jona Lakers 2:1

After a goalless first period, Lakers forward Niklas Persson scored the opening goal assisted by Johan Fransson and Derek Walser in the 35th minute. The last period finally put Lugano on the board when Alessandro Chiesa scored the equalizer in the 45th minute. Linus Klasen's goal in the 53rd minute was the first lead for Lugano in this game and the game winning goal.

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