Johnson’s winner helps USA get past emerging Switzerland

Tyler Johnson picked up two points on the night as team USA rallies past team Switzerland 3:2 to keep the perfect score.

Tim Thomas recorded his 11th start at the World Championships and earned another win, following a 6:1 crushing win over the hosts Belarus. In the 15th minute he emerged to keep the net intact when the Swiss had the most promising opportunity from close range.

Dennis Hollenstein and Damien Brunner had tallies for Switzerland.

Action started from the opening moments on - the Swiss putting enormous pressure, though powerplay remained a problem. Goalie Reto Berra saved the day in the 5th minute while the Americans were a man down.

Johnny Gaudreau had the first major opportunity for team USA midway through the first, but Reto Berra again saved the day. Craig Smith, minutes later, could have scored on the rebound had Berra not pulled another huge save.

1:28 into the second period Dennis Hollenstein opened the scoring without leaving much chances for Tim Thomas. The Swiss had finally scored in the Worlds after seven scoreless periods.

Before the halfway mark, Peter Mueller had leveled the score snapping the puck on his way back from the penalty box, finding a spot all alone before Berra. He beat him without a blink of the eye.

Kevin Romy and Damien Brunner got Switzerland back on track at 29:39 showing the Swiss' loss to Russia was just a bad day.

Reto Berra was dominant in net, keeping the Americans at bay for most of the time and was the main responsible the Swiss were ahead. He kept away 35 shots of 38 faced.

Robin Grossman's slashing call seven seconds before the second intermission gave the Americans the opportunity to tactically break the Swiss play and capitalize on the powerplay. Craig Smith beat Reto Berra 1:28 into the period, the same time that had elapsed when the Swiss broke the tie.

Tyler Johnson scored the game winner on the assist from Seth Jones at 53:15 to secure the win for the Americans.

The Swiss were denied two goals for offside, the first may have been justified, the second surely not, though that couldn't give their fans, and neutral fans in the arena, the right to boo the American national anthem in the end.

Tim Thomas was awarded the best player award on team USA, while the same honors were shared by Reto Berra on the opposite side.

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