Legend:
Just couldn’t be overcome
Czech Republic goalkeeper Dominik Pavlat, who is being harassed here by Dario Simion.
Emmi Korhonen/Lehtikuva via AP
- Switzerland lost its last game on the Euro Hockey Tour in Tampere against tournament winners the Czech Republic 0-1.
- This means that Patrick Fischer’s team remains without a win for the first time at the four-country tournament in Finland.
- The decisive goal came in the first third in a Swiss outnumbered situation.
In the end, only one goal made the difference between Switzerland, winless after two games, and the Czechs, who had already been declared tournament winners before the third game. The Eastern Europeans won their games against Sweden (5:2) and Finland (7:3) in a convincing manner and, above all, thanks to a furious starting third. For this reason and because the Swiss’ first 20 minutes against Finland and Sweden were not satisfactory, the key in the last game was to be ready from the start.
Behind after the start section – again
But it happened the way it almost had to. The confident Czechs took the lead 3 minutes before the first half-time siren. Radan Lenc was forgotten in the slot and scored between the pads of Reto Berra, who was back in the lineup – his 3rd goal and 5th scorer point in the 3rd game. The 1-0 score was prepared by Michael Spacek (Ambri) and Matej Stransky (Davos), who are active in the National League.
Particularly annoying from a Swiss perspective: the first goal conceded, as on Saturday against Sweden, came when they were outnumbered – Calvin Thürkauf was in the penalty box for being hit with a stick. Otherwise, the first third of Switzerland was largely impressive. Patrick Fischer’s team kept up with the nimble Czechs and kept the encounter even.
Hit the crossbar and late pressure phase
However, from this repeated deficit after the first third, the Swiss by no means gave up. They recorded more shots on goal in both the middle and final thirds. Sven Senteler came very close to equalizing in the middle of the game: However, the EV Zug center put the puck on the aluminum post after a nice pass from Marco Lehmann.
The goal also saved the Czech Republic in the final third when Dario Simion hit the post after an assist from Tanner Richard in the power play (44′). Shortly before the end of the game, the Swiss initiated a pressure phase with a 6th skater on the ice. Thürkauf, Richard, Sven Andrighetto & Co. attacked the opposing goal in the final seconds – without success. However, goalie Dominik Pavlat could not be defeated this afternoon. The 24-year-old ended up saving 26 shots on goal.
This is how it goes
The Euro Hockey Tour will resume soon. In a month the four-country tournament with the same 4 nations will take place in Switzerland. The Swiss start against Sweden on December 14th. All games will be played in Zurich’s Swiss Life Arena.