Switzerland also defeats Slovakia 24 hours after beating Germany
Keystone
The Swiss U20 team finishes the preliminary round of the Ice Hockey Junior World Championship in St. Paul (USA) in third place with a 3:2 victory over Slovakia. The quarter-final opponent has not yet been determined.
The Swiss juniors were more challenged against Slovakia than they were by Germany the day before (4:0). Two goals in the space of 22 seconds in the final phase of the first period put Jan Cadieux’s team on the road to victory. Loris Wey and Mike Aeschlimann scored in the power play. The Swiss made resolute use of two two-minute penalties against Tobias Tomik for a high stick.
The game was no longer played with the utmost intensity because both teams knew that the World Championship would continue on January 2 with a much more important knockout game. Switzerland led 3:0 until the 48th minute before the Slovaks reduced the deficit in the final period. However, the final goal was only scored ten seconds before the end.
Canada, Finland or the Czech Republic
The Swiss secured third place in the preliminary round group with their second win in 24 hours. They will meet the runners-up from Group B in the quarter-finals. Canada, Finland or the Czech Republic were still possible opponents before the final group games.
Telegram:
Switzerland – Slovakia 3:2 (2:0, 1:0, 0:2)
St. Paul. Р3864 spectators. РSR Magnusson/Verbeek (SWE/CAN), Pye/Str̦mberg (CAN/SWE). РGoals: 19th (18:05) Wey (Reber, Johnson/exclusion Tomik) 1:0. 19th (18:27) Aeschlimann (Ustinkov, Muggli/exclusion Tomik) 2:0. 37th Haas (K̦rbler, Meier) 3:0. 48th Nemec (Chrenko, Radivojevic) 3:1. 60th (59:50) Radivojevic (Nemec, Chrenko) 3:2 (without goalkeeper). РPenalties: 2 times 2 minutes against Switzerland, 4 times 2 minutes against Slovakia.
Switzerland: Elijah Neuenschwander; Muggli, Ustinkov; Johnson, Sansonnens; Blessing, Meier; Lehmann; Wey, Jonah Neuenschwander, Reber; Antenen, Grossniklaus, Steiner; Mottard, Körbler, Aeschlimann; Waidacher, Borradori, Cattin; Haas.
Remarks: Switzerland without Kirsch (substitute goalkeeper), Geisser, Henry and Lachat (all overtime).