Switzerland Shuts Out Norway in 3-0 Victory

Switzerland wouldn't blow any leads on Sunday evening, defeating Norway by a score of 3-0.

The game started in a very slow fashion, with neither team really creating dangerous opportunities. It took until the 32nd minute for the first goal of the game to happen when Romain Loeffel took the pass from Cody Almond along the boards. Loeffel then sent a hard pass to Reto Schäppi in front of the crease. Schäppi then re-directed the pass past Henrik Haukeland, making it 1-0 for the Swiss after a long lull to start the game.

And then all of a sudden, the Swiss took a 2-0 lead. Two minutes later, Thomas Rüfenacht found Canadian-born Almond rushing towards the net. Almond held the puck long enough to make sure he wasn't make a mistake and beat Haukeland, giving his team the 2-0 lead. 

Norway didn't do a whole lot to help their own chances, taking penalties late in the game that would end up hurting them in the long run. At 49:37, Almond recorded his third point of the night after putting the puck through his legs at the side of the Norwegian net to Pius Suter. Suter took a quick shot and net and easily beat Haukeland, giving Switzerland the 3-0 lead. Leonardo Genoni would stop every shot that was sent his way in what was a rather quite night for the goaltender, helping his team hold on to the decisive 3-0 victory.

Both teams will get Monday off before returning to action on Tuesday, with Norway starting the day off against Slovenia. Switzerland will look to take down the hosts from France, who are fresh off of a big 5-1 win over Finland earlier on Sunday.

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