Switzerland takes the first step

While the glitter and the attention of the fans are all for upcoming quarter-finals, Germany and Switzerland meet in a Friday morning in an half-empty Air Canada Center for the first game of relegation series, played in two or, if necessary, three games. If the presence of Germany on the ice today was almost taken for granted, Switzerland started the tournament with other goals, dreaming of quarter or even semifinals. The John Fust’ troop certainly is overall stronger the Germany, but the depression for the goal failed and the idea Germany has nothing to lose make this series not so obvious. With Gauthier Descloux in the net, Switzerland takes the ice without captain Yannick Rathgeb, suspended for two games after the rough hit on Swedish Anton Blidh. Pat Cortina has finally defender Fabio Wagner back after two games missed.

Switzerland opens the score at 03:50 with star Kevin Fiala netting a Reich’s rebound on a Noah Rod shot. Germany has a good reaction, giving Descloux some work especially with Frederik Tiffels. The rest of period isn’t really plenty of chances, with both Germany and Switzerland surviving to power play without difficulties

Kevin Fiala opens the score

Switzzerland doubles after 54 seconds in the central period with Noah Rod receiving from Michael Fora. Seconds after, Pius Suter misses a great chance to close the question, shooting on Reich a 2vs1 situation. Switzerland easily opens the German defense, putting its forwards in front of Reich, as at 24, when Jason Fuchs doesn’t find the net alone with Reich. But at 25:20 comes the third goal, scored by Luca Fazzini finalizing with a shot, probably deflecting, a long puck possession by Switzerland. Quite unexpectedly Germany scores at 28:20, mainly thanks to a willful action by Tiffels, serving Parker Toumie for the goal that gives some fuel to Germany in a critical moment. Reich contributes making a great save on Fiala at 33. But the German defense isn’t perfect at 33:56 closing on the shooters from blue line but forgetting Luca Hischier in front of the net: captain received from For a and beats Riech.

MVP Parker Tuomie scoring first goal for Germany

For the last 20 minutes, coach Cortina changes the goalies, with Ilya Sharipov in the net with Timo Meier sending a warm welcome to the ice with a missile well blocked after two minutes. Following a mistake by German attack, Sharipov has to made a great save on Suter at 43. The Red Bulls Salzburg goalie is beaten by a precise shot from Noah Rod at 45:46 and have to reach out the hand to stop a Luca Fazzini shot to avoid the sixth goal one minute later.  The game is in the hands of Switzerland: Sharipov blocks a classy move from Fiala and the second Germany goal, scored by Patrick Kurtz at 55:16 is a late consolation for Pat Cortina boys, already focused on game number 2 of the series, tomorrow night. Are 24 hours enough for Pat Cortina to invent something to tie a series with a final destiny already written?

MVP: Luca Hischier - Parker Tuomie

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