Defending champions ZSC Lions start the National League season with a 3-1 win in Biel. Losing playoff finalist Lausanne also wins, 2:1 against Genève-Servette.
ZSC defeated Biel thanks to two goals in the last six minutes. The Seelanders had previously won seven opening games in a row. Lausanne conceded the equalizer against Geneva in the 55th minute to make it 1:1, but Theo Rochette scored the winning goal 137 seconds later to make it 2:1.
Davos suffered their eighth defeat in a row. The record champions lost to Kloten 2:3 on penalties. Zug prevailed 3:2 at home against Lugano. Dario Simion gave Zug the lead after 129 seconds on the power play and was the first goal scorer of the season.
Fribourg defeated Ajoie 4-1 thanks to three goals in the final period, while the Rapperswil-Jona Lakers won 4-3 after overtime at Ambri-Piotta. The visitors' match-winner was Denmark's Nicklas Jensen, who was responsible for the decision with his second goal of the evening in overtime.
Results and standings
1st round: Ambri-Piotta - Rapperswil-Jona Lakers 3:4 (0:1, 2:2, 1:0, 0:1) n.V. Biel - ZSC Lions 1:3 (0:1, 1:0, 0:2). Davos - Kloten 2:3 (0:1, 1:0, 1:1, 0:0) n.P. Fribourg-Gottéron - Ajoie 4:1 (0:0, 1:1, 3:0). Lausanne - Genève-Servette 2:1 (0:0, 1:0, 1:1 ). Zug - Lugano 3:2 (3:1, 0:1, 0:0).
Ranking: 1. Fribourg-Gottéron 1/3 (4:1). 2. ZSC Lions 1/3 (3:1). 3. Zug 1/3 (3:2). 4. Lausanne 1/3 (2:1). 5. Rapperswil-Jona Lakers 1/2 (4:3). 6. Kloten 1/2 (3:2). 7. Ambri-Piotta 1/1 (3:4). 8. Davos 1/1 (2:3). 9. Bern 0/0 (0:0). 9. SCL Tigers 0/0 (0-0). 11. Lugano 1/0 (2:3). 12. Genève-Servette 1/0 (1:2). 13. Biel 1/0 (1:3). 14. Ajoie 1/0 (1:4).