Switzerland going for medals?

06 May 2013 | Fredrik Pålsson

After a few bad years at the World Championship Switzerland are suddenly moving up as a big medal candidate after being the three top seeded teams in the Stockholm group. Today the Czech Republic was defeated 5-2.

What a start to the tournament for Team Switzerland, who would believe that they would have seven points after playing the three top seeded teams in the group in the first three games.

"We just played three of the top teams in the World and came out with three wins. That's much more than we expected", an almost schocked Swiss head coach Sean Simpson said after the game. "With this hard schedule one win would have been great and now we have three".

The opening goal was scored with a few minutes left of the first period. On a power play the Swiss set up a quick attack, Andres Ambühl got the puck in the slot and one-timed it high for 1-0. "It was a nice pass and it went in", a pleased Ambühl said. Nino Niederreiter doubled the lead for the Swiss 6:36 into the second pushing it in from close range, scoring his third goal of the championship.

At that time Switzerland looked good to win the game. But that was before Jiri Hulder went to action at 33:02 he was given a lot of time to aim in the slot during a power play beating Reto Berra who was given the chance in the Swiss net today. On the second goal with just 48 seconds left of the second period, Irgl just threw the puck in front of goal, Hudler got his stick to it but Berra saved the first attempt only to see Hudler score on the rebound.

"At that point (2-2) I felt that maybe we were suffering from tired legs after the game against Canada yesterday", Simpson said, adding "But again I really like the character. I'm reall happy with the effort and will to come back after losing a two goal lead".

Because the Swiss would retake the lead six minutes into the third period. Martin Plüss went in from behind goal and after a save by Salak the puck touched Simon Moser's skate and found it's way into the net under Salak. And with six minutes left to play Switzerland took a two goal lead again. Simon Bodenmann after being served by Denis Hollenstein who held the stick with only one hand but still managed to pass the puck against two Czech defenders.

The Czechs now are in a small trouble after two losses in three games. "We need to do better", Zbynek Michalek said after the game. "It's a long tournament. It's not the start we wanted but there are plenty of games left".

So how far can this Swiss team reach? Now they have four games left to play that they will be favourites in, how with they handle that? "We have a reputation of playing good against good team and not so good in games were we are expected to win so we will see how it goes", coach Simpson said.

Czech head coach Alois Hadamczik was full of praise to the Swiss team "I've seen all three games and I've never seen the Swiss team played so well before".