Switzerlands needs overtime to beat France

29 Apr 2011 | Fredrik Pålsson

Julien Vauclair saves the day for Switzerland scoring the only goal of the game in overtime.

Last year's fifth placer Switzerland was big favourites against France but needed overtime to win after no goals were scored during the regular time.

France came out strong and made a solid first period against Switzerland. Laurent Meunier had the best chance with a breakaway but Tobias Stephan saved both Meunier's deke and the rebound.

The French continued to play well against the Swiss favourites in the second period but despite 24-19 in shots in France's favour the score was still scoreless after two periods.

The third period started with power shortage and all lights went out. The game was delayed but could soon be resumed and after that Switzerland came out stronger and dominated the play and had 7-0 in shots on goal before the French managed to regain some of the momentum. But despite the Swiss dominance in the third period the game finished with a 0-0 draw.

France's goalkeeper Cristobal Huet made a great game with 34 saves but 1:46 into the overtime he was beaten when Julien Vauclair scored the game winner assisted by Ivo Rüthemann. Tobias Stephan had 29 saves for the shutout in Swizerland's goal.

“It was a four on four situation and this is my type of situation,” Vauclair told iihf.com after the game. “The defenceman looked like he thought I was going to pass the puck, and it looked like I would be able to skate through. So I skated thorough", he said about his goal.