Switzerland dominates U20 Summer Challenge

A week ago the U20 teams of Germany and Switzerland already played two games in the small community of Arosa which is legendary for the success of its ice hockey team, the 7-time Swiss champion EHC Arosa. After a string of losses in recent years against their southern neighbours, the Germans could be satisfied with a 3-4 loss and a 4-2 win. The other team involved in the action came the whole way down from Denmark. The Scandinavians were humiliated 8 to 0 by the Swiss team but managed to win against Germany - already a first hint for the shaky form of the German juniors.

At the last U20 World Championship the Czech Republic and Slovakia reached the quarterfinals while Switzerland saved its Top Division spot in the relegation round. Germany as the winner of Division I reached its goal and was promoted again to the highest level of the age category. With this in mind it was clear that the hosts from Germany were not the favourites for the tournament win but at least they wanted to leave a good impression in front of the home crowd.

Matchday 1 (Thursday) started with a 3-1 win for Switzerland against Slovakia. The team from the Alpes had the better special teams and this should turn out to be decisive. Power play goals by Nolan Diem and Alessio Bertaggia along with a short handed strike by this year's NLA finalist with Bern, Christoph Bertschy, earned them a comfortable three-goal lead after two periods. With eight minutes to go Bruno Mraz, who spent the last season with the WHL's Brandon Wheat Kings in Canada, could only steal the shutout from Luca Boltshauser but not change the further outcome of the match.

The other game was won by the Czech Republic with the score of 2-1 against home team Germany. Goals by Matej Psota and Jan Hudecek paved the way for the away win. By wasting all four power play opportunities, the Czechs gave their opponents the chance to come back but in the middle of the third period Dominik Kahun only could cut the lead to one. When Germany pulled out their goalie Marvin Cüpper in the last minute, the result stood.

Matchday 2 (Friday) was similiar to the day before in a certain way. This time the Czechs were run over by Switzerland (0-4) after goals by Jan Neuenschwander, Nico Dünner, Alessio Bertaggia and Cedric Hächler, while Germany against lost by a one-goal margin - and this time very unlucky. The Slovakian two-goal lead earned through Matus Matis and Matej Hindos, was equalized in the third period by Huba Sekesi (PP) and Sebastian Uvira. With only 2:42 left on the clock Dominik Fujerik won the match for his Slovakian team.

Matchday 3 (Saturday) showed the huge gap between the junior teams in this tournament. First the Czech Republic was very close to demoralize completely their Eastern neighbours from Slovakia (three-goal lead after one period, 7-1 early in the third), before they showed some mercy and let them come to a 7-4 when Milan Kolena, Matus Matis and Michal Pospisil tried to get the result a bit more friendly for their side. Germany and Switzerland met for the third time in a week. The hosts had an almost perfect start with Frederic Tiffels scoring the 1-0 after only 1:19 were played. At the end of the first period Cedric Hächler and Alessio Bertaggia turned the result around and from now on only the red and white colours were succesful. Lino Martschini, Nico Dünner (2) and Tanner Richard made half a dozen complete and underlined their qualities with a 6-1 win.

Three wins and 13-2 goals let no room for discussions that Switzerland's U20 was the deserved winner of this year's Summer Challenge in Füssen. After two good impressions, Germany disappointed against the tournament winner and still has to look for its place at the junior level.

 

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