- At the World Cup in Finland, Switzerland wins a top-class preliminary round match against Canada 6:3.
- The Nati falls into reserve 3 times in the first third, but always reacts promptly.
- Thanks to the 5th victory in the 5th game, Switzerland has the best chance of finishing the preliminary round in Group A in 1st place before the last 2 group games. The quarter-final ticket has already been purchased.
- Andres Ambühl becomes the sole record player with his 120th World Cup appearance.
Yes, it’s still “only” the preliminary round of the World Cup. But this ice hockey national team makes you want more and with performances like this Saturday against Canada it invites you to dream more and more.
Even before the 5th game it was clear that Canada would be the first really big barometer for Switzerland at this World Cup. And coach Patrick Fischer’s team has proven that they can not only keep up with the best nations, but can also ground them.
Captain paves the way
In a very balanced duel over the full distance, Switzerland turned onto the winning road in the 27th minute. After a pass from Dean Kukan, Nico Hischier showed his class and outwitted Canada goalie Logan Thompson with a hard and well-placed wrist shot to make it 4:3. It was the first lead for the Nati and one that they never gave up.
With Pius Suter, just over 15 minutes before the end, it was another NHL player who took the wind out of the Canadians’ sails with the 5:3. Suter had decided to go it alone in a 2-on-1 situation and his plan worked. As a result, Switzerland had to defend twice more outnumbered, which they managed to do thanks to Leonardo Genoni. Timo Meier finally put the lid on the Swiss victory with the Empty-Netter 2 minutes before the end.
6 goals in spectacular starting third
The top game in Group A lived up to expectations right from the first face-off, and there was no trace of fumigation. Due to a hard gang check by Meier, Switzerland was faced with a 5-minute deficit early on.
She survived this and shortly afterwards Hischier scored the supposed opening goal after a stab in the slot. However, after studying the video, the goal was disallowed because the goalie was obstructed – a controversial decision.
The Canadians then used the momentum to open the scoring through Kent Johnson (12th). A wild exchange of blows ensued:
- 13 minutes: 59 seconds after the 0:1, Michael Fora finds the gap in goalie Thompson from an ambush. His shot is deflected decisively by a Canadian.
- 15 minutes: Meier’s cross pass on the offensive blue line is intercepted, Adam Lowry, outnumbered, attacks Genoni alone and happily marks the 2-1 for the “maple leaves”.
- 16 minutes: In the same power play, Switzerland equalizes again. Dean Kukan elegantly decelerates several times and places the disc in the case.
- 20 minutes: The Swiss make a mistake when building up the game in their own third. Drake Batherson benefits and finds a way past Genoni to make it 3-2.
- 20 minutes: 9 seconds before the end of the third, Jonas Siegenthaler has the best chance to equalize again. When Suter passes, the defender puts in an ice-cold shot.
Ambühl new World Cup record player
Even before the first puck was thrown in, it was a Swiss who was the center of attention in the Helsinki Ice Hall: Andres Ambühl. The 38-year-old played his 120th World Cup game against Canada and is now the sole record holder ahead of Germany’s Udo Kiessling (119 games). Ambühl is already contesting his 17th World Championship in Finland. The HCD striker made his World Cup debut in Prague in 2004.
Here’s how to proceed
The next preliminary round game for Switzerland is already scheduled for Sunday. At 19:20 the national team meets France. After a rest day on Monday, the Germans are the last Swiss opponents in the group stage on Tuesday at 11:20 a.m. Even before the game against Canada, Switzerland had already been confirmed as a quarter-finalist. All quarterfinals take place on Thursday.