Fine but useless victory for Switzerland

After having been eliminated by Norway, Switzerland can only close its World Championship campaign with a useful victory to softened critics and doubts raised by Swiss media during all tournament.

USA, already qualified, opens the score with Waterloo Black Hawks USHL All-Star Craig Smith but in 34 seconds Sean Simpson's troops equalizes with day hero Kevin Lötscher and overturns the score already in the first period thanks to a Raffaele Diaz goal.

At 21.06 Ivo Rüthemann enlarges the Swiss advantage before USA's second goal scored by Ryan Shannon and Kevin Lötscher's 4-2 at 31.00 causing a goalie change in USA, with Al Montoya replacing the pulled and uncertain Ty Conklin.

Despite Swiss domination, continued changes in the Swiss lines ordered by Simpson make the game pretty confused and USA can remain in the game with 4-3 scored at 58:17 by the latest roster addition James van Riemsdyk.

Scott Gordon tries to equalize the game but Switzerland fixes final 5-3 with an empty net goal by Ryan Gardner. Swiss fans leave Kosice arena showing many "Dekujeme Kosice" (thanks Kosice) signs while Swiss MVP Kevin Lötscher admits: "It was very tough playing to start after we knew that France had lost to Norway," said . We wanted to end the tournament with a win - but we can't be satisfied with the whole situation."

 

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